Transcript Historical Minute Book 1913 to 1923 - Ashdown Forest

St. John’s Common cricketThe Clerk reports that on applying for the annual acknowledgement of 1/- paid by the St. John’s Cricket Club forthe use of the cricket ground on the Forest at St. John’s Common Mr. Frank Humphreys informed him the clubhad been dissolved and that they only persons using the cricket ground are children attending St. John’s School, andstating that as he is interested in the Schools, if the Conservators will grant permission for these children to use thecricket ground he will continue to pay a yearly acknowledgment of 1/- and will endeavour to exercise supervisionover the use of the Ground by them.It is Resolved that the Clerk be authorised to give the requisite consent.Harry Walter digging gravelRanger Kirby reports that on the 15th inst. he found Harry Walter of the Windmill, Nutley, digging for gravel onStone Hill, he stated he had not a licence to dig and did not require one, but that if he found gravel he should writeto the Lord’s Reeve. Ranger Kirby explained that Walter was opening a fresh hole and no other excavation wasnearer than 100 yards and that Walter had turned over about 1 rod of ground 2 ft deep and had got out about 5 or6 yds of soil ready for sifting.The Clerk reported the matter to Messrs. Hunt Currey & Co., who had placed the Lord’s Reeve in communicationwith the Clerk, and the Lord’s Reeve stated that he had given no permission to dig. The Clerk asks for theinstructions of the Board.It is Resolved that as the gravel is the property of the Lord the Clerk write to Messrs Hunt expressing the hope thatthe Lord will prosecute and stating that Ranger Kirby is authorised to give evidence and render any other assistancein the matter.Miss Dodge fenceA letter is read from Mr. W.W.S. Follett asking on behalf of Miss Dodge, the owner of the property opposite to theCrow and Gate Inn, whether the Board see any objection when she replaces the present decayed fence outside thepond to her putting it on top of the bank instead of at the bottom next the water, being a distance of about 3 ft. Asthe land proposed to be inclosed does not appear to be within the Forest pale it is Resolved that Mr. Follett beinformed that the Board will have no objection.R.A.F. Golf Club Reed drivingMr. Martin states that he has been asked by Mr. Whitley–Hughes the Adviser of the R.A.F. Golf Club to enquirewhether the Board can see their way to apply to the Home Secretary to alter Bye Law by striking out the word“unauthorised”.It is Resolved that Mr. Whitley-Hughes be informed by Mr. Martin that the Board regret that they cannot see theirway to make the application.Boring for oil etc.The Clerk reads the following letter, which he received on the 21st inst, from Lord De La Warr’s Solicitors viz:-Lord De La WarrAshdown Forest MineralsDear Sirs,We think it right to give you notice that Lord De La Warr now intends personally to bore for minerals and otherpurposes on Ashdown Forest.As we have already informed you, Lord De La Warr claims all the mineral rights of the Forest and in boring willtake every precaution against damaging or interfering with the rights of the Commoners, and in any event he will beprepared to give them reasonable compensation.11Ashdown Forest Historical Minute Book