From Kent Area News, Spring 1997
Laughter in Court: But who laughs last?
There was astonished surprise at
the outset of the Public Inquiry into the proposed
Public Footpath Creation Order which, if confirmed,
would allow walkers to traverse the "missing link" of
the Royal Military
Canal path between Warehorne and Aldington. When he
asked witnesses to identify themselves Mr Peter
McMaster, the inspector appointed by the DoE, realised
that he and Peter Whitestone, Chairman of Ashford
Ramblers, had served together in Hong Kong and Malaya in
the 1950's, as Army colleagues. Everyone in the hall
agreed that this was no reason to prevent the Inquiry
from continuing.
Ruckinge Village Hall seemed a
most unlikely setting for a legal battleground. Somewhat
decrepit and sadly in need of a lick of paint; white
plastic picnic chairs comprising the main seating; an
old school bell suspended high above one wall and a
modern clock placed in respect of a local worthy; it
seemed to lack the dignity necessary for the legal
processes taking place. Mr McMaster at the outset made
it quite plain that he would not be standing upon his
dignity and he wished all who appeared before him to be
at ease as they gave evidence.
The hall was filled with
supporters drawn from KCC Recreation Paths and Highways
Departments and from a number of walkers' organisations.
Members of Sevenoaks RA, Ashford RA, Tunbridge Wells RA
were strongly represented as was the Kent Area EC, the
Meopham FP Group and the East Kent FP Preservation
Society. Objectors consisted mainly of the local
community among whom were the landowners affected by the
proposed Order.
One local farmer's wife brought
her knitting and sat, busily plying her needles, much as
"les tricoteuses" had witnessed the passage of "aristos"
during the French reign of terror.
There were a number of occasions
when laughter brought light relief to the atmosphere.
Outlining the procedure the Inspector said that
mid-morning breaks would be taken "as convenient"!
Pat Wilson, who had been stressing the benefit that
walkers would bring to local shopkeepers and inn
keepers, was asked how much she spent whilst out walking
and replied "I always carry my own sandwiches!" Mr
Mellor, one of the farmers objecting to the path, when
describing how youngsters caused trouble said "…you
can't clip 'em round the ear else you'd be locked up!".
But, of course, serious argument
took up most of the time. While James Richardson,
KCC solicitor, and then Mike Moroney, RoW Manager, made
out a strong case for the new path, most of us were
disappointed by the weak showing of [the witness] who
had been responsible for doing the Environmental
Assessment.
Excellent statements were made
by Michael
Stokes, Chairman of Kent Area, by Paul Clark of
Sevenoaks, by Peter Whitestone of Ashford Ramblers and
by Ray Allen, local County Councillor.
On the other hand the local
objectors put their case strongly. It quickly became
evident that the lack of adequate car parking near to
access points was going to be a great disadvantage.
The possible danger to livestock
on this narrow strip of land edged on one side by the
canal and on the other by a wide drainage ditch was
bound to weigh heavily in favour of the objectors.
Following the verbal
presentations site inspections were carried out to look
at various problems. We await the outcome with fear and
trepidation as well as hope.
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From Kent Area News, Autumn 1997
Royal Military Canal
The Spring issue of Kent Area News described the
Public Inquiry into the County Council's bid to create a
footpath along the Royal
Military Canal between Warehorne and Aldington.
The article ended "We await the outcome with fear and
trepidation, as well as hope". Most happily, hope
prevailed and after ten weeks of suspense we learned
that our campaign to open the path to the public, begun
by the Ashford Group in 1986, had succeeded. The six and
a half mile stretch became legally open to the public on
the 13th May; and Mike Temple and I traversed it,
triumphantly, three days later.
Twenty seven of us, from all over Kent, met at
Court-at-Street to walk the new stretch, westwards, on
17th August. It was one of the hottest days of the year,
but we had a splendid outing. We found that most of the
necessary fieldwork had been carried out. A long stretch
of fencing, put in to protect the public from a bull at
Ruckinge, presented the only real problem; the path at
this point was uncomfortably narrow, sloping and full of
dangerous holes (our subsequent complaints were promptly
dealt with by KCC's Rights of Way section; the stretch
is now in far better condition). A lunch stop at
Ruckinge gave some a chance to relax under shady trees
by the canal; others enjoyed a visit to the Blue Anchor,
the village local. We reached Hamstreet car park after
three and a half hours; we had followed OUR new path for
six of the total eight and a half miles and we had
enjoyed a memorable day's walking.
The fact that the public can now walk all twenty
seven miles of the canal from Hythe to Pett Level will
be celebrated and publicised by the KCC next spring; a
guide book will be launched at the same time. We
ourselves will be arranging an Area Walk to introduce
newcomers to this beautiful stretch of quiet countryside
some time around Easter – Groups will be sent
information.
Meanwhile, you can read an article about the Canal in
the Winter number of Rambling Today, which the Editor,
Annabelle Birchall wrote after a recent visit. Do take a
look at the new section for yourself – everything is
well waymarked – and, in any case, it would be very
difficult to lose your way!
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