A Call for Help

Although there are many people opposed to a fence, the SWT is an unelected organisation who does not have to listen to our views or consider our recreational needs. They are good at appearing to consult while not listening to any arguments they don’t want to hear. Our only hope is to have a good turnout of interested people so I am now appealing for as many as possible to put the points of the riding community to the SWT representatives.

Says Catherine Myres

This is a call for help from horse riders.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) are proposing to fence the common at Iping and Trotton- this runs alongside the south side of the A272 between Stedham and Trotton.

15 years ago the SWT fenced the Minsted/Stedham side of the common to much opposition by the locals, walkers and riders. The intention was to graze cattle there to assist in the management of the common by eating young birch trees to promote heather growth and poaching wet land to encourage invertebrates. The land is certainly poached but there is no diminution of the young birch trees

SWT are now wanting to do the same to the bigger part of these commons which remains the last unfenced piece of land which the locals are able to ride on. They are proposing 4ft self closing gates with either a hitching post or a mounting block either side. They are proposing to graze the area with up to 30 cattle with a potential to put ponies there in the future. There is a proposal for 10 field gates, 15 bridle gates and 7 kissing gates – the total cost of this is between £40,000 and £50,000, paid by DEFRA at a time when they have no money to maintain their existing car park or follow up on earlier capital works.

One of the big issues which affects riding, are the gates. These are proposed to be self-closing 4’ wide gates. As anyone who has ridden & led knows these are impossible to get the led pony through, without dismounting. This will affect those with children on a leading rein, whose option is now to ride around the roads, as well as those leading riderless ponies for exercise. The SWT proposal is to have tying up posts on either side of the gates. I hope you can understand that the idea of tying up a child’s pony, next to the A272 while re-mounting is about as unsafe option as anyone could imagine. All for the sake of some heather & invertebrates, which can be promoted by other means such as mechanical chopping of birch, small temporarily fenced enclosures (as on Woolbeding), and heather burning.

Although there are many people opposed to a fence, the SWT is an unelected organisation who does not have to listen to our views or consider our recreational needs. They are good at appearing to consult while not listening to any arguments they don’t want to hear. Our only hope is to have a good turnout of interested people so I am now appealing for as many as possible to put the points of the riding community to the SWT representatives.

Comments Tony Barnett

"I have full/all of the documents relating to these areas, none show legal occupation at all, the common lands therefore open from all points of view, and not regulated.

The enclosure gates/fencing can be removed without prosecution."

Says Tony Barnett

I have followed the ancient route to title, for ownership or any rights to lawful occupation on the afore mentioned common/heath lands

Speaking to WSWT 's officers, the question of disclosure was brought into the equation, there is no chance that they can disclose lawful occupation, the council has already stated that there is no ownership record or, land registry document.

From the conversation with WSWT, their aim is to present a "Fate Accompli" at the meeting tomorrow, I have stated that the statements from members of WSWT may/can construed false representation, already the claim that DEFRA "will fund the works,purchase of materials" has been amended to we will apply for funding.

The livestock WSWT wish to introduce to the common lands, will/can be classed as abandoned animals and legally can be removed, reported or adopted as one could with strays, strangely the SSSI is the flora and fauna, livestock fodder, public surface, lawfully disturbed, eaten, as I have repeatedly stated, SSSI on common has no jurisdiction, neither has WSWT, Natural England.

A representative is to attend this open air Jamboree, but it has no negotiating powers,but may object to inclosure of common lands as any member of the public.

I have full/all of the documents relating to these areas, none show legal occupation at all, the common lands therefore open from all points of view, and not regulated.

The enclosure gates/fencing can be removed without prosecution.

Comments Steve Yandall

Comments Maureen Comber