FRIENDS OF COMMON LANE
SNIPPETS OF NEWS FEBRUARY 2017
LEAFLET
Thank you for your support for the new leaflet. It is now printed and I’ll get it to outlets asap. There was a suggestion that the picture of a badger should be left out, on the grounds that we do not like ‘black and white rabbits/foxes’ because they undermine the Lane. I’ve left it in – as a Friends in-joke...... incidentally I recently picked up a superb bivalve fossil from their latest excavations.
SURFACING
Pete has done sterling work clearing the verges from Halstock to Woodfold Hill, where necessary cutting back overhanging trees, and digging out the grips. Last time I was up there, there were scalpings ready to lay.
The last stretch to Corscombe, and the continuing maintenance along the Lane will now take place in the next financial year (after 1 April).
WORK PARTIES
There is some checking of under-lane drains to do and some tidying of verges and grips at the Corscombe end. If anyone would like to organise/participate in a group please contact me – or get on with it!
DORSET HIGHWAYS POLICY
“Unpaved unclassified roads are not routinely inspected and are only repaired to a standard that is appropriate to their use. Repairs are ad hoc, but if not cost effective to repair they may be closed.”
EVENTS
Di Staines has valiantly offered to organise a Quiz Night on Saturday 25th March 7 for 7.30pm at Corscombe Village Hall. (Yes, Freda will NOT be setting the questions –relief all round!) Details are on the attached poster. Please round up friends and acquaintances and more. Prizes for the raffle would be welcome. I’ll send out a reminder next month.
I’m arranging a walk with the wardens in Brackett’s Coppice in May for the orchids. Probably a weekday early evening. We’ve walked before, but later in the year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be guided round this secretive place.
In the summer I hope that we will be hosted by woodsman Rick Smith – charcoal burning and possibly a barbecue?
It would be good to have a stand at Corscombe Fest and Halstock Fete. Help needed.
INFORMATION BOARDS
The Parish Council was trying to get a board made for and erected on, the Roman villa site sitting area. It would now seem better to put up one or two boards on the Lane to incorporate the Roman villa information and Common Lane map and highlights. Watch this space! An alternative could be the posts, such as they have on the Tarka Trail, spaced along the lane with location information.
SUBS
(sorry!) yes, there are still a few of you who haven’t paid up for this year. I got my knuckles rapped when I published a list of miscreants last year so I’m trying to be more diplomatic. If your conscience pricks,you know what to do. If you’re not sure whether you’ve paid, I can soon tell you!
Happy fresh air walking/riding/pondering!Freda Hennessy 01935 891448