Transcript Historical Minute Book 1952 to 1965 - Ashdown Forest

The Contractor would be able to cut these posts at about two feet up from the ground level and remove the top
portions and had submitted an estimate for this work and also for demolishing an AA Gun pit for £87.10.0.
Mr. Innes proposed that as these posts had been erected by the authorities they should be removed by them.
The Chairman pointed out that these posts were included in the compensation claim paid by the Government and
it was the Conservators’ duty to have them removed.
The Vice-Chairman proposed that a second estimate should be obtained from another Contractor before agreeing
to Thornes estimate.
Mr. Harvey seconded and it was unanimously resolved that the Clerk should obtain a further quotation.
3. Fire breaks and demonstration of cutter. The Chairman reported that he had watched the demonstration and
apart from two of the machines used which failed to do the work required, the third machine known as a Rotovator
was more successful but by no means perfect in as much as it seemed unable to cut the undergrowth when the
ground was uneven. Furthermore, he understood that the cost of the machine was in the region of £1200. Mr.
Card stated that he thought that this money could be spent to much better advantage on the Forest.
Lt. Cmdr. Hardy explained that the £1200 was not the cost of the Rotovator but was the cost of the tractor that
pulled the Rotovator. The Rotovator cost only £200.
Mr. Mountain proposed that Messrs. Thorne & Co., should be invited to give a demonstration with a Disc Plough
of cutting fire breaks, and this was seconded by Mr. Wolfson. It was unanimously resolved that the Clerk should
arrange this with Thorne & Co. Ltd.
4. Anglo-Iranian Oil Company - permission to bore on Forest.
The Chairman read a letter received from the D'Arcy Exploration Company Ltd. The Vice-Chairman informed the
Board that whilst the Chairman was on holiday he had received no less than three different requests over the phone
from these people for permission to bore on the Forest and he informed them, both over the phone and through
the Clerk by letter, that this request must come up at the next Board meeting. Mr. Innes informed the meeting that
certain people in the Crowborough District were opposed to this boring.
Mr. Owen stated that this was of National Importance and that he had studied a very interesting booklet issued by
the D'Arcy Exploration Company and had also read an article dealing with this matter in a recent edition of The
Field and proposed that permission should be given for them to bore on the Forest, seconded by Mr. Warburton
and unanimously resolved that the Clerk should give this permission subject to guarantees as set out in the D'Arcy
Exploration Company's letter of the 5th January 1954.
5. Rangers’ Reports.
9th February 1954.
Way Leaves Work has commenced on the Reservoir at Wych Cross and the Water Trench. This is being done
under Way Leave issued by the Board of Conservators.
Prosecution Browns Brook. I attended Uckfield Police Court in connection with the prosecution of William
Osborne. The site has now been satisfactorily cleared.
Bridge, Londonderry Access. Messrs. Thorne have completed the construction of the bridge leading to the access
track to the Forest, near Londonderry Form, Nutley.
Mechanical cutting. I attended the demonstration of mechanical cutting of fire breaks on 19th January.
Work, roadside cutting. In company with Ranger Conley, I have cut roadside gorse on Kidd's Kill and Colemans
Hatch. I supervised the burning under control of a section of the Forest near Spring Gardens, Fairwarp.
GILBERT DAY
Forest Ranger.