RIDER RIGHTS

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Says Naomi Smith

Says Naomi SmithIt is all too possible to round a corner on horseback and come upon a group of cattle with no prior warning -this WILL result in a horse being badly spooked at best, bolting at worst -it is only a matter of time ........... read more

Forestry Commission speaks with forked tongue.

More riders complain of being threatened by
Forestry Commission rangers .

Says Elizabeth Humphreys

I was stopped at the top of the track – not marked as a footpath on the OS map – at Moreton, Dorset, by a Forestry Commission worker a couple of weeks ago – I have ridden their for about 15 years and have never been stopped. The letter that they send me is attached – I am quite annoyed that cyclist, motorbikers and walkers are not taxed like horse riders are, and that quite often horse owners are the first to report incidents like stray cows etc.,that roam on this land. I would be very grateful on your thoughts on this and whether I should pay up or not.

The letter Elizabeth Humphreys received from the Forestry Commission

Forestry CommissionForestry Commission
England

Elizabeth Humphries
Dorset

Soytti England Forest District
The Queen's House, Lyndhurst
Hampshire, S043 7NH
Tel: 023 8028 3141
Fax: 023 8028 3929

Deputy Surveyor Michael Seddon

Date: 13/09/2014
FILE REF:- PERMIT NUMBER

REMINDER - DORSET RIDING

Dear Elizabth,

I understand that you were recently riding in the Moreton Forest area without a Commission riding permit. May I point out that riding on our land (except on a public bridleway) without a permit is a breach of the Commission byelaws. If you wish to ride in our Forests in Ringwood and Dorset it is necessary to have one and it may be purchased from this office. The charges for the permits are as follows:

£20.00 - Private Riding: Valid for One Month

£50.00 - Private Riding: Valid for one Year

£100.00 - Commercial: Valid for one Year

£50.00 - Driving: Valid for one Year

+ £30 refundable key deposit

I have enclosed a copy of the application form. Should you wish to apply, please complete and return it to myself at the above address.

If you do not please contact myself on the number above, so we can keep our records up to date. You are, of course, entitled to ride on public bridleways without the need for a permit. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me on the number above.

Yours sincerely

Albery ation
Permissions Officer

Tony Barnett writes to Elizabeth Humphreys

- The bridle paths cannot be extinguished or your rights to air,exercise be denied,

- If you feel distressed by the actions of the workers, contact your local police on mobile and plead aggrivation,harassment, and claim your safety is in danger,

Says Tony Barnett

Says Tony Barnett The lands are common land as stated before, parts of the common has been acquired (not requisitioned), my suggestion is to pay no tol but to request a copy of title deeds to pre-date 1189, even if ownership may be disclosed, the bridle paths cannot be extinguished or your rights to air,exercise be denied, if you feel distressed by the actions of the workers, contact your local police on mobile and plead aggrivation,harassment, aand claim your safety is in danger, all of that comes under the public porder act section 5, you may also refer them to me, but please do relinquish your lawful rights of access.

You should phone me at the time you are approached, also, there is no requirement not to leave the bridleway to ride over the open common land.

Tony Barnett writes to the Forestry Commission

"I have given advice, legal under the laws of this country, not to pay any toll to access ancient bridleways or refrain from freely accessing the open common land "

Says Tony Barnett

Says Tony Barnett Information is that you are still operating the Dick Turpin traits of highway robbery by demanding toll from horse riders,again I have given advice, legal under the laws of this country not to pay any tol to access ancient bridleways or refrain from freely accessing the open common land appendant to the rest of the common forestry land, but to instead contact to local police under section 5 of the public order act.

Council says Forestry Commission is wrong to charge riders

If you have paid, demand your money back

Send the following e-mail to the Forestry Commission where you paid your fee.

Dear Forestry Commission

You have no rights to charge people for riding on Forestry Commission land.

I, therefore, demand that you return the following sum of money

.........................................................................................

that I have paid you over the last .................... years.

Looking forward to receiving the re-payment

.................................... (signed)

Name: ........................................................................................

Address: ................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................

Annabel Gresch writes to Tony Barnett

"Wow - that's a fantastic result!!!! "

Says Annabel Grech

Says Annabel GrechWow - that's a fantastic result!!!! I am extremely happy and completely surprised as the guys that approached me were very adamant about horse riders requiring a permit. Thank you very much for looking into this for all the Wareham Woods riders.

Your help has been very very much appreciated!!!!!

Please do keep me informed and I will continue to spread the word by contacting more local riding clubs and horsey magazines.

Says Linda Wright

Says Linda WrightWe moved to a Shropshire location a year ago having surveyed the local OS map and noted the significant number of bridleways around the property. Sadly the map appears a total fiction. Scarce any of the bridleways are usable ........... read more

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