HODGEMOOR
RIDER
newsletter
no.3 - Late Summer 2001
|
Hodgemoor
Riding Association home page
New
bridle way opens on time
We are pleased to announce that the new bridle way between Threehouseholds
and the East End of Hodgemoor Wood is open. The bridle way has been created
by Bucks County Council (Rights of Way Officer for this area is Jonathan
Clark whose phone number is 01494 475 368) at the instigation of Brenda
Wickham of the British Horse Society who lives in St Peter. Forest Enterprise
and the Hodgemoor Riding Association have been supporting the project.
A gate has been put up at the Threehouseholds end (picture below). The
3 metre wide path was seeded with grass and is now ready for a good canter
up to the entrance to the wood. A gap in the last hedge before the wood
was cleared this week thanks to Bucks CC's contractors and Simon Swirling.
The new bridle path, called by us the Wickham Way, then stops at the entrance
to Hodgemoor Wood. Barriers have been erected where horses and cyclists
should not enter, and the correct entrance will be opened in a few months.
In the meantime, the Spring Link is under construction to let users of
the bridle path get through Hodgemoor Wood at its East end up to Bottrells
Lane 50 metres West of the double bend.
The opening of Wickham Way
is a triumph of cooperation. If you are aware of the difficulties (legal,
environmental, political and others) involved in creating a new bridle
way then you will join us in expressing thanks to all concerned, especially
Bucks County Council.
The enclosed map shows the complete route of the new bridleway. As you
know, for the time being the bridleway does stop at the wood edge. Please
do not be tempted to try and get in the Wood. Forest Enterprise has put
barriers up to stop horse riders entering the Wood and please respect these.
Just be patient, because there’s a good chance that the rest of the bridleway
up the east side of the Wood to Bottrells Lane will be open by the end
of the year.
Certain members of the Association have been working very hard to this
end by starting to widen the existing footpath in the Wood. There
so far have been three working parties that have struggled with prickly
hawthorn and holly to clear a big stretch that will allow the summer sun
to dry out a boggy stretch. Doing this work will save many hundreds
of pounds in con-tractor’s fees.
Bridleway clearing
parties
So to continue the good work, we will hold regular clearing parties on
the first Friday of every month at 7 pm, starting on Friday 3 August.
Come to Marcus and Susie’s home, Homefarm Orchard, Threehouseholds, Chalfont
St Giles which is a 10-minute walk from the work site. Leave the
White Hart Pub on your right, go over the mini-roundabout, and take the
straight drive on the right just before phone box. If possible, come
with secateurs and/or hand saw. Gloves, covered arms and legs are
strongly recommended!! Even half an hour helps: it’s been quite satisfying
to see what just 4 or 5 of us have achieved. Give us a call if you’re
coming: 01494 872447 or Marcus on 07748 111444.
Those of you who cannot come on Friday evenings are welcome to come at
another time like Saturday at 9 a.m. Let us know and we will turn out to
accompany you. Our aim is to clear the 300 metre stretch of footpath to
a 1½ metre width so that the contractor can then just lay the hoggin
where it is needed.
Thank you Charlotte for ringing round last time. Would anyone else like
to helping in chasing up people by phone?
Onyx
Project Application
The Association will be re-submitting its application for funding from
the Onyx Environmental Trust at the end of August. As the Trust requested,
the emphasis is now on improving public access for all users in the Wood
and surrounding area. Besides Forest Enterprise, Bucks CC is now
also a full partner in the application. Mentioned in the project is the
Council’s plan for opening up the triangle to the north of Hodgemoor Wood
between the A355 and A413 up to Amersham.
Penn
Link-Up Rides
We are
planning some link-up rides with the Penn Area Bridleway Association to
show Hodgemoor-based riders the way around, and vice versa. The first
will take place on Sunday, 12 August, meeting at 9.45 for 10 a.m. departure
in the car park at Waylands Equestrian Centre, Rawlings Lane, Seer Green.
The ride will last around 2 ½ to 3 hours.
As this date is probably rather short notice for most of you, we are planning
another one on 28 October or 4 November which will be a fund-raising event,
costing £10 per rider. Money raised would be divided between
the Association and Macmillan Cancer Relief. Please call Susie if you plan
to come.
No
riding on the picnic area
A reminder from Forest Enterprise. Please do not ride in the car park or
the grass picnic area to the south. Those areas are reserved for walkers
now and are prohibited to horses and cyclists. The map attached shows the
alternative routes round the wood.
Upcoming
Meetings
As some of you may be on
holiday, the general meeting planned for 10 August has been put back to
Thursday 20 September at 8 p.m. We hope this will take place at one
of the livery stables to make a change from the Meeting Room at Chalfont
St Giles. The next committee meeting is on Thursday, 9 August at 7p.m.
at the Bicknells' house.
Susie Bicknell can be contacted
as follows:
Telephone 01494 872447
sBicknell@btinternet.com
26th July 2001
Hodgemoor
Riding Association home page