Transcript Historical Minute Book 1952 to 1965 - Ashdown Forest

Further rutting of the Forest caused by army vehicles drawing on to the Forest has occurred at Kingstanding cross
roads.
GILBERT DAY
Forest Ranger.
11th October, 1954
Water Pipes to the Birches
Way leave granted for water pipes across the Forest to the above property has now been completed.
Collection of Rates.
The majority of rates in my area have now been collected for the year 1954.
Relinquished Camp Area Crow borough
The above area has now been cleared of barbed wire entanglements, assault courses cleaned of post erections and
old sheets of corrugated iron. These have been buried in large pits found in this area and disturbed earth levelled
over. This was completed on 7th October 1954 by F.W. Tyler, Nutley Contractor.
Organised Soil Tip Priory Road.
This is situated near Tylehurst School "S" Bend. All surplus soil from the Forest accumulated by contractors is now
being tipped here.
RANGER J. CONLEY
6. Finance
The Chairman proposed that this item should be taken in Committee as it also dealt with item No.8 on the Agenda.
Seconded by Mr. Owen.
7. Defaulters and non-payment of Forest Rate.
The Clerk reported that at the year ending December 31st 1953 the arrears of rates amounted to £176.16.6. but he
had been successful in collecting to date £172.2s.6d. leaving a balance of only £4.14.0d. to be recovered. He felt
confident that this balance would be collected in the near future with the exception of perhaps two amounts viz:-
A. 6/- from a debtor that had sold his property on the Forest and at present resided in London. Each letter that
had been written to him, which amounted to s considerable number, always received a reply from his secretary
stating that the Debtor was away and the matter must await his return.
B. £1.15.6. was for rateable land taken over by the Weir Wood Water Board and now submerged. The Acts of
Parliament governing the rate did not deal with submerged lands of this nature, but he was at present discussing the
position with the Clerk to the Weir Wood Water Board.
8. Report of Sub-Committee and Accountancy Arrangements.
The Chairman proposed and Mr. Wolfson seconded that this item be taken in Committee,
9. Any Other Business,
A. The Clerk read a letter he had received from Messrs. Caffyns regarding the mechanised condition of Ranger
Conley's motor cycle. They were of opinion that repairs of a major nature would be required in the near future. He
had discussed this matter with Caffyns maintenance engineer who had reported that the gear box was in very poor
condition and any attempt to replace this would no doubt reveal other defects when the machine was dismantled.
Mr. Harvey proposed that the Clerk obtain estimates for a new machine with the best allowance possible for the old
cycle.
It was unanimously resolved that the Clerk should obtain estimates.
B. The Clerk reported that Mr. Ian Lumsden of Holly Cottage, Nutley was causing an encroachment on the Forest
by continually parking cars outside his cottage. He received a visit from Mr. Lumsden early in September in reply to
a letter warning him he was causing a breach of the Bye-laws. Mr. Lumsden explained that he was obtaining
permission from his landlord to build a garage on the property.