A very important
message to all supporters
Some of you may
have noticed that barbed wire has again been
placed adjacent to the gate at the Shearford Lane
end of Manning's Pit. The gate may also by now
have been replaced on its hinges and relocked with
a padlock.
This work is being done by the
farmer who owns the land, and grazes his cattle,
on the fields on the other side of the stream from
Manning's Pit.
We have spoken to him and fully
sympathise with his need to keep his cattle out of
Manning's Pit. Whether we like it or not Manning's
Pit is now owned by Summix the speculators, whose
attempt to acquire planning permission for a
housing development, we are opposing.
The land is not owned by the
farmer and he has a legal obligation to maintain
the boundaries and stop his cattle "trespassing"
on Manning's Pit.
We realise that that having a
locked gate is inconvenient for walkers,
especially those with dogs, but we have to be
realistic here. The farmer concerned has no issue
with walkers and dog walkers crossing HIS land but
he has no control over Manning's Pit. Anyone who
cuts the wire or the padlock chains or indeed
removes the gate from its hinges is damaging our
cause and we do not support their actions in any
way.
If the gate and fences continue
to be opened then the farmer has indicated that he
will have no alternative other than to build a
"permanent" barrier.
So please, if you are tempted to
cut the padlock chain or the barbed wire, desist.
And if you know who is doing this please advise
them that they are not striking a blow FOR
Manning's Pit they are striking a blow AGAINST it.