Presentation of Petition to NFNPA

Click here to watch the mornings events on Vision News.

I am sooo proud of everyone involved in this campaign, and today was no exception, with all people, horses and dogs behaving impeccably. We had a nice sized turnout, not too many to cause any major disruption (which is why we deliberately kept it low profile), and we do hope the traffic wasn't too inconvenienced by our entourages progress from Everton to Efford. The local police were brilliant (thanks Nick and Amanda) and gave us a discreet escort for road safety reasons, holding the traffic up briefly, and then holding us safely in a layby to let traffic go by. Placards and banners were carried (even by some of the horse riders, the horses were soooo well mannered), dogs trotted obediently to heel (although my own campaign-jacket-wearing whippet is now snuggled on the sofa, relieved to be back in the warm - he doesn't 'do' cold!).

We were met in front of the NPA offices by NPA Chief Exec Lyndsey Cornish and Deputy Chair Barry Rickman and after a few photo ops for the waiting press, the children dismounted from their ponies (3 registered New Forests I might add) and formally handed over the 7300+ petition to the NPA representatives. NFDOG representatives also handed over their formal response (which they had constructed in the style of a scroll, some 8ft long, which they unfurled). A few more photo ops and interviews, then the assembled throng set off back down the road, once more kindly accompanied by the police officers.

We would like to thank the NPA representatives for being so sporting in agreeing to come out and meet us - they even put out buckets of water for any thirsty animals, which was a very kind gesture (hope Steve Avery wasn't in the office to see these alien plastic objects that so upset him!), and also kindly allowed the children to use the loos (riding in cold weather can have an effect on the bladder! We must also thank the residents of the houses just outside the entrance for putting up with us for the short period, and apologise also as one supporter inadvertently used a residents parking space (not needed by the owner I don't think, but none the less, genuinely sorry). I'm told we also overlooked to scoop one equine deposit on the verge - we did come equipped and would have cleared it if we'd realised, sorry.

So thank you to all involved in today's presentation - oh and by the time the official original petition goes to Westminster, we will clear the 8000 signature mark easily, as more have been coming in just a little too late to copy for today's event.

Tina Cant (F.U.G.)

As we approach the deadline for the end of the consultation period, the time is also here for us to officially close the petition. We have in excess of 6000 signatures in just 10 short weeks - that's nearly 100 signatures a day, every day! Well done to all who have worked so hard to ensure it has been fully circulated, and a huge thank you to everyone who took the trouble to add their name to show the enormous strength of feeling behind our objections to this appalling Draft Plan!

So, we thought we'd better explain what happens next. The petition closes now, and as we want to include as many as we can, please send or deliver them back to us as urgently as possible. We are busy getting the whole lot photocopied (an enormous task in itself for which we must thank a very kind supporter), so that we can have both a symbolic and formal presentation.

The formal presentation will be to Dr Julian Lewis MP who will then take the entire bundle to Westminster for us and present to Parliament. This is important, to let the Government (who ultimately oversee all National Park Authorities) know very clearly how totally opposed to the Draft Plan the residents & friends of the New Forest actually are.

The symbolic presentation is to the NFNPA and this will take place on Thursday 30th October at 11am at the NPA offices at Efford, near Lymington. The four of us from FUG will be delivering it, accompanied by some of our children on horseback, and a representative gathering of NFDOG supporters, to demonstrate our continued solidarity. We have courteously agreed with the NPA that the delegation that actually goes up to the door of the NPA offices will be restricted to that group. However…

Should anyone else find themselves in the area of Efford on Thursday morning, well, it would be very nice to see you! We will be emerging at around 10.25am from the bridleway onto Wainsford Rd, Everton, past the Post Office into West Lane, then via Old Christchurch Rd, then turning left to join the main A337 Milford Road at about 10.40am, and walking down towards Otter Nurseries with the ponies and dogs. We of course wish to avoid disrupting the business of Otter Nursery and will avoid interrupting the traffic flow of their customers (can highly recommend them by the way, excellent nursery with great choice of plants and good prices!). So, who knows, we may see some of you as we proceed to the premises!