Transcript Historical Minute Book 1952 to 1965 - Ashdown Forest

S.J. Marsh.
Chairman.
A Meeting of Conservators duly convened and held at the Village Hall, Forest Row, on Wednesday 21st.
October 1953 at 2.30 p.m.
Miss M. Blount M.B.E., Messrs. John Card, J.H.H. Griffin, Lt. Commdr. H.R. Hardy, Mr. A.K.L. Harvey, The Rt.
Hon. The Earl of Lewes O.B.E., Mrs. S.M. Looker O.B.E., Messrs. S.J. Marsh (Chairman), J. Mitchell, Trevor E.
Mountain, J.R. Owen J.P., Mrs. U.M. Ridley, Messrs. John Rowe, G.A. Warburton and A.C. Wolfson.
1. Apologies for Absence. Col. R.S. Clarke M.P. and W. Gilham Esq.
2. Minutes. The Minutes of the last meeting as printed and circulated were taken as read and confirmed and signed.
3. Matters Arising from Minutes.
A. Encroachment by Mr. Spencer Ridley.
The Clerk reported that since the last meeting Ranger Day had again visited the site and reported that this
encroachment had not been removed but had been increased in size. He had, therefore, written Mr. Ridley again on
September 11th. and suggested that he would extend the time previously given if Mr. Ridley would commence to
remove the encroachment at once and give the Ranger an undertaking that same would be cleared.
The Clerk instructed the Ranger to visit Mr. Ridley, which he did, and the result was that Mr. Ridley refused to
comply with the Clerk's instructions and, furthermore, stated that he intended to add to the encroachment.
The Clerk asked the Board for their instructions. It was unanimously resolved that the Clerk should proceed against
Mr. Ridley under the Byelaws.
B. Encroachment by Mr. H. Osborne.
The Clerk reported that he had since the last meeting written to Mr. Osborne on July 25th, and again on August
28th. requesting the removal of this encroachment and also instructed Ranger Day to visit the site.
The Clerk had received a report from the Ranger on October 14th, that same had act been removed and also Mr.
Osborne had ignored his letters. The Clerk asked the Board for their instructions.
It was unanimously resolved that the Clerk should proceed against Mr. Osborne under the Byelaws.
4. Access Track - Pippingford Park.
The Clerk reported that he had received a letter from the W.D. Land Agent asking for permission to metal the track
from Kidds Hill to Thornhill Farm. He also requested the Board to waive the limitations on the type of military
vehicles which might use this particular track. The Clerk informed the meeting that he had, with the Chairman's
approval pointed out to the W.D. Land Agent that permission to metal was already provided for in the Act. The
Conservators would not enforce rigidly the provisions of the Act regarding the class of vehicle to be used on this
track, but the restrictions still held good for all other tracks.
The Board unanimously approved the Clerk's action.
5. Rifle Range - Pippingford Park.
The Clerk reported that he had received a letter from the W.D. Land Agent asking permission to extend the danger
area from a rifle range situate on its own property to a part of the Forest in the vicinity of Old Lodge and
submitting a plan of the suggested site.
The Chairman had instructed the Clerk to inform the W.D. Land Agent that the Board would strongly object to any
such range. The Board unanimously approved.
6. London/Eastbourne By-Pass Road across the Forest.