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theprophetmaca
Joined: 17 Jul 2009
Posts: 1
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 Posted Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:36 pm |
Hi all,
Please can we all refrain from riding on the forest for the time being, a group of us in the south (Ashdown Cycling Campaign - www.ashdowncc.org) have been working very hard, along with IMBA and the CTC to reach an amicable agreement with the forest. I have been involved for years, but the campaign has really taken off in the last year or so, and we seem to be making some good progress, but some riders are making it harder for us to explain to the powers that run the forest that most cyclists ride responsibly and dont flout the rules, they stick to paths etc. There are many options on the table at the moment and it is early days, so please bear with us and show your support, we want future generations to enjoy the forest so a small amount of suffering in the short term will hopefully benefit all in the long run. Examples of similar areas are all over the country now and more are opening up all the time, and most who are reluctant but do allow some form of biking, then start to embrace it and expand! Please look at our facebook page as well and e-mail any one of the team with comments, cheers.
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flip_flop
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 16
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Posted Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:00 am |
Yep. Spreading the word where I can. Well done.
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Ben03
Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 8
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mudslinger
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 157
Location: Mid Sussex
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Posted Sun Aug 9, 2009 8:02 am |
I was under the impression the campaign had been unsuccessful however looking on your Facebook page there seems to be some positive news.
Any details on the route you are proposing?
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Traildrew
Joined: 14 Aug 2009
Posts: 4
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Posted Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:20 am |
Do you not think you are banging your head against a brick wall I think you require much bigger guns this is a very insular community running the forest for a small community of residents and horse riders with mythical visitor figures which actually refer to how many people pass down the A22 not those that actually use the forest the charter which the conservators run it under is Fuedal If the residents of East Sussex and Wealdon new the amount of money that was given to these people to have there own private playground excluding many other folk with there ancient bylaws they say 1974 but most date from at least 1885 and further back than that .
This area is 14000 acres almost the largest forest and Heathland in England but they aparently dont want any extra visitors full stop they even discourage visitors from the AA Milne (Poo Bear) site there have been a number of articles in the nationals about the TOO well kept secrets of Ashdown .
This area should be taken over by the Forestry Commission and made available for the public write to your MPs and local councillors NOW 
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mudslinger
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 157
Location: Mid Sussex
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Posted Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:25 pm |
I think I read somewhere that they get £120K per year from East Sussex county council.
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Traildrew
Joined: 14 Aug 2009
Posts: 4
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Posted Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:42 am |
Thats correct plus other funding from Wealdon and local council grants and they have also I believe had a dip in the lottery pool but the largest annually has to be East Sussex if this facility is not for all Sussex and surrounding ratepayers then the subsidy should cease
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mudslinger
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 157
Location: Mid Sussex
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Posted Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:01 am |
I thought they are on dodgy ground if they are accepting funding from the ratepayers & then being so exclusive about how the forest is being used. I'm in West Sussex so at least I'm not lining their pockets. I don't know the forest but sometimes take my daughter to Weir Wood & I always think there must be some good cycling to be found in there.
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Traildrew
Joined: 14 Aug 2009
Posts: 4
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Posted Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:15 am |
In total its 14000 acres of mixed Forest and heathland nearly one of the largest in the country a few improved bridleways for family biking and a nice single track tucked out the way of all the Nimbies there is certainly more than enough room if virtualy every other forest and beauty spot in the UK encourages mountain biking you have to be very suspicious as to why Ashdown do not
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mudslinger
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 157
Location: Mid Sussex
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Posted Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:32 am |
You're right- it absolutely stinks & I can't believe how they get away with it. Apparently they argue that there are plenty of places in the area for cycling e.g. Forest Row, Deers Leap, South Downs etc. The walkers apparently like the quietness of the place & don't fear for their safety because there are no reckless bikers. But with 14000 acres they is plenty of space to keeps everyone happy. It's just excuses...
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Good work.
