18 July (Part 4) - The Woodland Trust. I wouldn’t
The
Woodland Trust was sniffing around Bonkers this morning, someone must have tipped them off that
the blocking of Bridleway 250
has become more widely known.
So I returned the compliment and learned from
the Woodland Trust web site
that they have an annual standing order for 200 key fobs at £12·.50 a throw to be
delivered to Mascal Stables. These are probably not for the illegal gate on
Bridleway 250 as it would appear that Mascal Stables is responsible for
controlling more than one access to Joyden’s Wood.
After leaving
the council meeting last night
I returned to the scene of the crime to check things out again. There, as bold as brass,
pointing straight through Mascal’s gate, is a sign saying Bridleway 250 and on the gate
is a notice saying the gate is closed after 10:30 with no way back (†). So what
about someone out for a romantic stroll on a summer’s evening who lingers beyond sunset and finds themselves trapped?
There is also the matter of horse riding in Joyden’s Wood. The cheapest permit to allow that
is £80 going up to £300 a year for commercial use. A permit doesn’t restrict the times you
can visit but Mascal Stables’ gate effectively imposes a limit. But that conflict is easily
resolved, if you complain about the gate you are refused a permit or a renewal.
Between them, The Woodland Trust, Mascal Stables and Bexley council have managed to
totally stitch up anyone who wants to take full advantage of a public right of way.
† Council correspondence states that a a weekend gate closing time of 8 p.m. has been approved.