On the day of their AGM, the trustees of the meadow (it's run by a charity) have introduced new rules for the meadow - I just learned of them by reading a news article posted over on the Meadow website:

New rules introduced on the Meadow

The article says there was serious anti-social behaviour on the Meadow.

The new rules, which I guess take effect tonight are:


I see that no indication is given as to when the meadow opens in the mornings, though!

Thus, it appears that these activities are now banned:

• no star gazing after midnight
• no overnight camping
• no bonfires

~Andrew~

Ahhh is that why they are letting the nettles grow out of control at the two "end of the meadow" entrances, to stop people getting in...?

(and before any response come back about helping out at the meadow etc, i have in the past cut back the nettles by the weir end bridge so people can get through without getting stung)

I was at the AGM this evening.

Unfortunately is the usual case of a small minority which mean everyone has to suffer.

There have been groups of youth getting very drunk and lighting very large bonfires - potentially giving rise to a real fire risk. There have apparently been a number of complaints raised.

From what I heard it sounds like the Trustees had little choice introducing the new rules.

I'd let Graham or one of the other Trustees go explain the background further if they wish.

Nick.

And this is where you want us to hold Whitstock and leave an expensive pa system overnight?

Perhaps an overnight vigil armed with pitchforks is needed

Are the culprits local?

John B

All anti-social behaviour in Whitchurch is caused by people from Overton.

Except when its caused by the Salvation Army, of course.

We have made a detailed analysis of the probelem and the main focus of our attention was on DARK !
Thats when the trouble occures.

Then LATE .

Other things not unique to the meadow then come into play and as time progresses and the amount of something else ALCOHOL is consumed in ever incrasing amounts it has a common effcet.

This occurs everywhere alcohol is consumed and eventually it starts to affect THE CRITICAL FACULTY in the human brain. Things are said and done which are outside the norm.

This is is one of the attractions of The Bell although the participants have learned to do it in an adult mode, generally not being too LOUD.

Then on the meadow the temptation to have a fire and some of the fires have been big, risky to individuals and thatched cottages.

We seek to moderate and astrononomers and anyone wanting to camp can do so if they simply ask for permission.

Astronomers spotting an asteroid heading for Whitchurch will be discouraged from shouting HELP too loudly.

I and others feel for the trustees here - they are managing a private property that has open access. They have few enforceable options and walk a fine line between open, unfettered access and trying to ensure public safety and the maintenance of a nice environment.

Maybe it's inevitable that a few will take the proverbial and go too far, and their peers won't rein them in. I believe the correct phrase here is 'it was ever thus'. I know a certain local of advancing age who talks fondly of his youth up north, ranging about the place in a gang smashing streetlights with shangeyes. Harmless fun in the hindsight of 50-odd years maybe, but for the old ladies nearby at the time it may well have been terrifying.

By the sound of it today's youth are fairly tame in comparison.

I'd like to hope that the trustees consulted with youth who visit the meadow after-hours to get their side of events and maybe support before going in with the big stick.

Mike

I'd suggest its not the right place too.

A good idea, but not all ideas hatched over a pint or three are feasible

I believe that the Meadow can't be closed as it has public footpaths running across it?

I don't believe in rules unless a) they can be enforced and b) you intend to enforce them.

I think the 'ban' on things ion the meadow meets neither category without serious cash being expended.

Surely if there is late-night hassle then - as with any public affray - calling the police is the way to go? Especially if you don't feel up to confronting the miscreants, which should be the first course of action IMHO. They may not be aware of the concern / disturbance being caused.

Any n'e'er-do-wells would soon get the message that the Meadow neighbours won't tolerate rowdiness.

/m

We cannot close the public footpath and w ehave no plan to lock the gate.

It is a first step and hopefully the problem will dissolve.

Maybe if a bunch of old folk (I count myself in there WRT a 17yo) turn up at the picnic table next to them, crack open a thermos of tea and start recounting how good Supertramp's 1975 album was, they'd get the idea?

Seriously, that they can have their space, unless their actions are outside the bounds of what's acceptable (like setting fires and making so much noise people 100m away are woken/annoyed/concerned). If the mark is overstepped then society will step in.

Despite my last I think the police are a last resort, and adults should muck in first in numbers.


/m

During the very successful opening of the Pond Observation Platforms by our Mayor and Mayoress (John and Rosemary) and the Pond Dipping and Celebration of the Veolia Grant (Total £7700.00) Brian Shrubsall and I took over one of the Picnic Tables amongst a group of families visiting.

With a bottle of rather fine Chianti apparently bought from one of the sponsor's shops (Tesco) and a mixture of salamii. Saint Augur and Camambert Cheese (bought from a shop that provided an earlier grant of £5000) (Co-operative Foundation) we made key observations re the siting of picnic tables.

Two massive disposable BBQS smoked away so we have decided to site tables according to prevailing winds.This does remind one of the even deeper reasons why Stonehenge was built
as it was.

We decided against concreting them in preferring to take a strategy of having more tables if possible tapping into the hopefully forthcoming Lottery Grant.

We had to pay for our wine as I am unable to find quite the right words to get grants for such things.