Transcript Historical Minute Book 1913 to 1923 - Ashdown Forest

The laying out of the camp as at present constituted indicates in the opinion of experts, some both of localtopographical knowledge and practical experience, a steep slope, full of winter springs and bogs must always be abad place for a town of huts, and, on the Forest soil as we all know in default of the timely provision of metalledtracks, the huts now erected were, in such a situation, bound to become, as they have, inaccessible to heavy traffic.The troops quartered in the Camp have, it is to be feared, suffered considerably from the local conditions and thewant of foresight in meeting them, nor can it be altogether overlooked – though this aspect of the matter lies,except in the case of properties with Forest rights, outside the immediate scope of the Board – that serious andneedless injury has been done to the local residents whose grounds have been encircled with stables and latrinesplaced without any attempt at discrimination or consideration, as the War Office plan submitted herewithsufficiently shows.In time of war no one would wish to complain of inconvenience for which any reasonable necessity could beshown but in this case there was obviously no such necessity.It seems therefore, desirable that it should be publicly stated, and clearly understood, that the Board has noresponsibility whatever with regard to the action of the War Office on the Forest, and that in so far as the Boardhas been referred to, its recommendations have not been followed out.Your Committee would further suggest that, in view of the extensive damage being done to the surface of theForest, the Board should represent to the War Office, that, on the legal expiration of its temporary power, theBoard will have to call on it to restore the surface, as far as may be possible to its original state with the leastpossible delay. It would appear that some of the officers employed locally are unaware of this liability.R.A.F. Golf Club proposed new no. 3. greenMr. Midgley stated that he and Colonel Needham (who is at present abroad) would not have brought theapplication to make a new Green adjacent to Rist Wood before the Board, if they thought it would be detrimentalto the Commoners. The spot where it is proposed to make the new Green is at the foot of a slope, is rushy andvery wet, and litter does not grow on it. And an old Commoner assured him that litter has not been cut on it for, atany rate, many years: that if the ground is drained and the green is constructed the present No.3 Green will be givenup, and other alterations will be made in the Golf course which will do away with the driving across ground thatpeople pass.On the proposition of Mr. Portman seconded by Mr. Kenward it is Resolved that permission be granted to theR.A.F. Golf Club to make a new green on the site proposed on condition that it does not exceed in size the presentno 3 green, and that the present no. 3 green is given up.Camp at Forest RowMr. Freshfield, having dealt further with the location of the Camp at Forest Row, and the unnecessary interferencewith the comfort of certain of the residents, and with the access to some of the houses. Mr. Martin states thataccompanied by Mr. Waters and Captain Palmer, he inspected the Camp and its surroundings, and, as far as he wasable to ascertain at present, he came to the conclusion that the drainage, which has not been connected with thepublic sewer, is not likely to contaminate the springs, which are used for the supply of drinking water.After further discussion it is Resolved that representations on the whole subject of this Camp to be settled by theChairman and Mr. Freshfield to be made to (1) The War Office, (2) The General Officer commanding the 2ndArmy Central Force, and (3) The Officer in command at the Forest Row Camp.Forest Row camp sanitationAlso that the Clerk write the East Grinstead R.D.C. enquiring whether the drainage and sanitary arrangements ofthe camp at Forest Row have been investigated by their Sanitary Officer, whether he has made any report to theCouncil on the subject, whether the Council will be good enough to favour the Board with a copy of his report, andwhether, in his opinion, there is any danger of any of the local springs, which supply many of the inhabitants withdrinking water, being contaminated by the drainage or surface washings from the camp.37Ashdown Forest Historical Minute Book