1942 - 1952 THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Commoners duly convened by notices posted on the Principal doors of the Churches of the Parishes and Ecclesiastical Districts to which the Forest extends, by notice sent to each Commoner more than 14 days prior to this date and by advertisement in two newspapers circulating in the neighbourhood to wit, The Sussex Daily News and the East Grinstead Observer, and held at The Village Hall, Forest Row, at 1.30 p.m. J. R. Owen Esq. J.P. Chairman. Col A. E. Barchard S. J. Marsh Esq. W. Edge Esq. Lt. Col. G.R. Miller, D.S.O. G.D. Haslam Esq. Wm. Mitchell Esq. Miss Helen C. Hett John Rowe Esq. F.T. Ridley Esq. Miss Beatrice Swire Mrs. H. L. Stevenson and H.R. Waters Esq. Apologies for absence were received from Admiral Beamish, Mr. H.H. Hardy and Miss Bainton. The Clerk reads copy of the notice convening this meeting. 1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN . On the proposition of Mr. G. D. Haslam it was RESOLVED that Mr. J.R. Owen be elected Chairman of this meeting. 2. MINUTES . The minutes of the last Annual General Meeting were read approved and signed. 3. METHOD OF CONVENING MEETING . The Clerk reported that on making enquiries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries he was informed that it was not possible for the Ministry to sanction any departure from the procedure laid down in the Award. 4. ELECTION OF CONSERVATORS . The Clerk reported that it was necessary to fill three vacancies occasioned by the retirement of Mr. F.T. Ridley, Rear Admiral Beamish and. Lt. Col. G. R. Miller and on the proposition of Mr. G. D. Haslam seconded by Mr. John Rowe it was RESOLVED that the three retiring Conservators be re- elected. The Chairman expressed his pleasure at the re-election of the three Conservators and assured the meeting that the Board were always ready to receive and give sympathetic consideration to any suggestions which the Commoners may make. 5. ELECTION OF RECREATION GROUND SUPERINTENDENTS . It was proposed Mr. S.J. Marsh seconded by Mr. F.T. Ridley and RESOLVED that the Recreation Ground Superintendents be re— elected as follows:- Nutley Lt. Col. G.R. Miller D.S.O. Fairwarp Col. A. E. Barchard Colemans Hatch Mr. J. R. Owen J.P. Forest Row Mr. C. G. de Rougemont. 6. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS . The Chairman stated that the Forest land had been looked after remarkably well in spite of the difficult conditions obtaining and the Rangers had carried out their duties in a very satisfactory manner. 7. MISS HETT. FIRE BREAKS . Miss Hett enquired whether the Board would arrange for the provision of fire breaks in the piece of woodland acquired by the County Council for the equivalent areas. It was RESOLVED that the Maresfield Committee be instructed to meet Miss Hett on the spot and report to the General Purposes Committee. 8. FOOTPATH AT NUTLEY . Mr. S. J. Marsh drew attention to the bad state of a footpath near Nutley which had been cut up by the Military. The Chairman undertook to arrange for a military officer to meet Mr. Marsh and inspect. 9. LIGHTS ON FOREST DURING BLACKOUT . Miss Swire reported that she bad been asked to raise the question of lights on the Forest. The Chairman informed her that on receipt of facts the matter would be dealt with. 10. VOTE OF THANKS TO CHAIRMAN . 0n the proposition of Mr .S. J. Marsh a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman for his able conduct of the meeting. J.R. Owen Chairman A MEETING of the Board duly convened and held at the Village Hall, Forest Row, on Wednesday 4th December 1940 at 2 p.m. J.R. Owen Esq. J.P. Chairman J. Godwin King Esq. C.B.E., Vice Chairman. Col. A.E. Barchard Major Gen. Sir H. Bruce Williams K.C.B. D.S.O. J.H.H. Griffen Esq. A.F. Harland Esq. G.D. Haslam Esq. J.P. S.J. Marsh Esq. Lt. Col. G.R. Miller D.S.O. Wm. Mitchell Esq. F.H. Nias Esq. J.P. F.E. Richards Esq. F.T. Ridley Esq. John Rowe Esq. and Harry Waters Esq. Apologies for absence were received from Admiral T.P.H. Beamish and H.R. Hardy Esq. 1. MINUTES. The Minutes of the last meeting of the Board were read confirmed and signed. 2. TOWN PLANNING AGREEMENT. (p. 355). The Clerk reported that the engrossments of the Agreement were With the County Council for execution. 3. EQUIVALENT AREAS. (p. 355). The Clerk reported that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries did not approve of any alteration being made to the Award Map but required a copy of the Order of the Ministry of Transport to be attached to the Award. Noted. 4. MISS WALTERS. ALLEGED ENCROACHMENT (p. 356) The Clerk reported that farther correspondence had been received from Miss Walters' Solicitors who had forwarded a tracing showing the boundaries of the land purchased by their Client from the Land Commissioners in 1885. He had forwarded the correspondence and plan to Mr. H. Waters who had made an inspection end reported that the point at issue was not the original boundary but that Miss Walters had erected a fence outside her boundary to protect her hedge which had been neglected. Miss Walters' Solicitors had been informed of his report and a reply from them was awaited. It was RESOLVED that the Board adhere to its previous decision and Miss Walters be called upon to remove the fence or put it in a position so as to cause no encroachment. 5. ROYAL ASHDOWN FOREST GOLF CLUB (p. 356 ) (a) Acknowledgment. A letter was read from The Secretary of the Golf Club enquiring whether any further remission of acknowledgment would be granted by the Board. It was RESOLVED that he be informed that the remission will be operative for the duration of the war. (b) Cattle on Greens. A further letter from the Secretary was read complaining of damage by cattle being driven over the Club’s Greens which it was alleged was caused by cattle belonging to Mr. R. Holmes of Colemans Hatch. It was RESOLVED that Mr. Holmes be requested to exercise care when driving his cattle so as to cause as little damage as possible to the fairway. 6. MILITARY OCCUPATION OF FOREST (p. 359). Major General Sir Hugh Bruce Williams reported that representations had been made regarding the misuse of the Forest by certain colonial troops who were ignorant of local conditions,, and as a result a compensation Officer had now been appointed to work with General Hildyard which it is hoped would avoid misunderstandings in the future. 7. MEMBERSHIP. (p. 337). The Clerk reported that the East Sussex County Council had re-appointed the following to serve for the three years ending 1943: Col. A.E. Barchard. Col. R.S. Clarke, M.P. H.W. Looker Esq. J. Godwin King Esq. And F.E. Richards Esq. The Chairman expressed his pleasure at the re-appointment. 8. HEAD RANGER’S REPORT . The following report was received from the Head Ranger. 1, Pixton Lodge Villas, Forest Row Sirs, Since reporting to you last the Rangers have cut firebreaks at Wych Cross Clump and Ghylls Lap Clump and have replanted 20 young trees that have died during the year. They have also returned all the clay they could find to a bomb crater near the road at Tyle Lodge and collected forest rates. I consider the risk of large forest fires from February on is very great. (The forest would burn today during daylight.) I propose subject to your approval to cut 500 fire brooms from the Forest during January and place them at intervals about the Forest. Also to cut another 600 fire brooms and deliver to the military camps in the area if they will accept them. Gypsies have become very prevalent in the Forest during the past few weeks. Hours of cutting. Nicholas Kirby Day Wych Cross Clump 18 12 16 Ghylls Lap Clumps 8 8 8 Yours faithfully H.T. NICHOLAS It was RESOLVED that fire brooms be supplied to the various military units and that the necessary wire be purchased for binding them. 9. TRENCHES ON FOREST. Mr. Marsh reported that there were still some trenches on the Nutley - Duddleswell Road which had not been filled in. The Chairman undertook to communicate with the Compensation Officer on the matter. 10. TREES AT CAMP HILL. It having been reported that the fence round the newly planted trees at Camp Hill had been removed, it was RESOLVED that it be renewed and the Head Ranger instructed accordingly. 11. ANNUAL COMMONERS’ MEETING. The Chairman reported that at the Commoners’ Meeting held prior to this meeting the three retiring Conservators, Admiral Beamish, Colonel Miller and Mr. F.T. Ridley were re- elected. 12. FINANCES Receipts since last meeting. The Clerk reported that since the last meeting the following amounts had been received. Forest Rates £208.5.0 Local Authorities Contributions £91.19.4 Bank Accounts The Bank Pass Books were produced showing a credit balance on General Account of £319.19.11 and on Wages Account of £8.6.1. Accounts for payment The following accounts were submitted and it was RESOLVED that cheques be drawn in payment thereof. Barrett of Battle Printing 1.1.0 Sussex Daily News Advertising 1.1.0 Farncombe & Co. (1928) Ltd. Advertising 1.2.0 H. & E. Waters. Wire etc. 1.10.6 Cartage 0.10.6 Martin’s Garage Motor Cycle accessories 0.6.0 Geo.