Absolutely no-one was happy with either the explanation or the settlement made between Hampshire County Council and Mr Whitfield because it flew in the face of everything the commoners had fought for and won.
The minutes of the Headley Parish Council reveal the continuing discontent.
26th September 1977, Headley Parish Council minutes record that they do not agree with any fencing on Broxhead Common and asks for the unauthorised fencing to be removed.
26.9.77 say no to fencing proposal
27th September 1977 Headley Parish Council write a letter to the County Secretary objecting to any fencing on Broxhead Common and would like the existing fencing removed.
1977 Headley Parish Council to HCC 197713082020
29th September 1977 Kingsley Parish Council write to Hampshire County Council objecting to Mr Whitfield’s proposals.
Kingsley Parish Council to HCC 197713082020-1
30th October 1977 Letter from the County Secretary to Kingsley Parish Council soothing their fears.
1977 October HCC to KPC 20th October 197721072020 (1)
12th January 1978 the report of the County Recreation Officer to HCC’s Rights of Way Committee advises against any fencing.
1978 January HCC Jim White report24082020 Pages 1-5 _OCR
21st January 1980 Headley Parish Council minutes show they were still objecting to the proposal for a sports ground on Broxhead Common.
1980 6.5.80 Headley PC object to playing fields on Broxhead Common
6th May 1980 Headley Parish Council write to the Department of the Environment objecting to the proposed recreation ground.
Kingsley Parish Council to HCC 197713082020-1
5th March 1980. This was all happening at the same time as Hampshire County Council signed away the public and commoners’ rights on the 80 acres of Broxhead Common.
1980 LEASE Whitfield to HCC Broxhead Common21082021
It appears that Democracy was already in decline.
Next time: Mrs Barnard writes a letter
It’s vitally important that riders know and maintain their Rights of Way.
If we don’t know and maintain our Rights of Way, we will have less and less land on which to ride.
The problem is knowing our Rights of Way!
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