Transcript Historical Minute Book 1933 to 1940 - Ashdown Forest

Mr. John Rowe.Mr. William Stevenson.Mr. L. Tyler.Mr. H.J. WatersMiss Wilson.1. An apology for absence was received from Mr. C.H.N. Adams.2. CHAIRMAN.It was Resolved that Mr. H.R. Hardy be appointed Chairman for this meeting.3. MINUTES.The Minutes of the last Commoners Meeting were read, approved and signed.4. ELECTION OF CONSERVATORS.It was proposed by Major Barrington, seconded by Mr. Owen that Mr. H.J. Waters and Mr. F.T. Ridley be reelectedfor the ensuing three years. It was proposed by Mr. Haslam, seconded by Mr. Ridley and resolved that Mr.George Maryon-Wilson and Mr. John Rowe be re-elected for the ensuing three years.It was proposed by Col. Miller seconded by Mr. Ridley that Mr. Sidney John Marsh be elected to fill the vacancycaused by the death of Mr. Osborne, and Mr. H.J. Ridley proposed Mrs. Frances Rose Penfold for this vacancy andthis was duly seconded by Mr. Fred Mitchell. On a show of hands Mr. Marsh received 10 votes and Mrs. Penfold 3and on Mr. Ridley’s request a vote by acreage was demanded and showed a large majority in favour of Mr. Marsh. Itwas Resolved accordingly that he be elected and hold office until 31 st December, 19365. RECREATION GROUNDSThe re-elections of Col. Barchard to be superintendent of the recreation ground at Fairwarp, Col. Miller at FordsGreen, Admiral Beamish at Chelwood Gate, Mr. Owen at Colemans Hatch and Mr. C. de Rougmont at Forest Rowwere proposed, seconded and duly confirmed.6. NEW BYELAWSThe Chairman intimated the general purport of the Byelaw revisions. Mr. H.J. Ridley proposed that a new Byelawshould be drawn up to secure the proper shutting of gates on the Forest. Mr. Ridley was informed that hissuggestion would be duly considered, and that the Board would investigate the Matter further at an early date.7. FOREST TRACKSMr. Wm. Stevenson, a litter cutter, drew attention to the bad state of some of the Forest tracks and thought that ifthese were made up, more people would be able to use them for removing litter and he proposed that a sum shouldbe set aside from the Protection end Improvement Fund for this purpose. He also thought that many more localpeople especially nurserymen might be approached with a view to persuading them to cut more litter in place of thestraw which was now being bought from other parts of the country.8. JUNCTION OF MAIN & SUBSIDIARY ROADSMr. Fred Mitchell drew attention to the bad levelling off of the roads where a main road had been reconstructed atthe entrance to some of the subsidiary forest roads, particularly mentioning the junction by the White House,Duddleswell, where there was a considerable drop off the main road and a half-filled trench extending right acrossthis entrance to the second road.9. FLOODING AT LONDONDERRY FARMMr. Wm. Mitchell spoke for the owner of a small piece of land at Londonderry Farm which was being floodedfrom. Mr. Nettlefold’s land due to a grating running under a bridge giving way owing to present flood conditionsand releasing a lot of water that had been held back owing to choked nature of the grating which had been there forsome 2 years. The Ranger was instructed to inspect and report, and the Board would then consider whether theByelaws had been violated.10. NEW GATE AT BORINGWHEEL MILLMr. H.J. Ridley then pointed out that the gate between Boringwheel Mill and Nursery Bridge was in a serious stateof disrepair and was always left open. He was informed that the Board would note his complaint.