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Folks, I wanted share the situation in the woods and I have tried to factually represent below what has been gone on in the last week which has been reasonably intense yet constructive. Feel free to contact me directly about this.

Last week I was contacted by the council in reference to complaints in the local Woods. I was informed that the activity noted was a bike track being built and trees being cut for a tree house . These completely unrelated activities are deemed criminal damage and hence a legal matter.

The guys at the council are good people and the same ones I have been speaking toalso constructively about Queens Wood. We seem to speak a lot lately and have had a lengthy and healthy discussion.

The council went in two days a go to remove all the jumps, other building work and also to help undo some of the unrelated but very unfortunate damage to trees.

I have not yet but will go sometime soon to see the work the council have carried out and I hear it looks good.

The council and I have, in very positive and healthy dialogue, agreed to support the woodland being ancient and that this environment should not see any further building. As you have seen and are seeing now I have agreed to give this message of support on the site .

I look forward to working with these new contacts at the council (and have communicated as such) to see mountain biking adequately catered for and fully supported in the London boroughs where demand is present and growing. I sense only good will come from this going forward.

I again ask in support of the council's request that any building work being envisaged in these woods is not taken forward.

Feel free to get in touch.

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Comments (1)

stumpy_dan said:

... I read today that Barnardo's has launched a new campaign to highlight what it calls "disturbing intolerance" of children. It appears we have created an unwelcoming society for children!nn"As a society we have created a climate where children are made to feel unwelcome in public spaces and where we have become fearful of them on the streets" Barnados. The word "feral" is used to describe them in this report. That is very sad.nnIn their survey 88% (of 393 youngsters interviewed) said having more things to do and places to go might stop young people getting into trouble. 84% said young people get into trouble because of boredom". BarnadosnnThe perception of teenagers is in my opinion misguided and ignorant but to me there is truth to the fact that there is little for them to do and that there are fewer and fewer opportunities outside of being an X factor star or a computer game hero. Families, local councils and communities all need to work together to improve this and local outlets for sport and community centres to meet in a guided and creative way are key. Fundamental franklynnI come across a lot of teenagers. Be it weekends in Chicksands, Aston Hill, Jump Guley or the local woods. They are all full of bright, eager and polite kids seeking to push be part of a community, working together and pushing their boundaries. They also put my riding skills to shame time and time. Interesting when you talk to the adult passing about how they perceive these kids then I find these attitudes not a shock but sad.nnI have a 17 year old and a 13 year old. I find their friends to be polite, respectful, hold open doors, care about the environment. These aren't all priviledged kids they are just kids from normal families. I hold no doubt that a large proportion of society on meeting them walking in large groups in the streets being noisy, laughing and shouting (being kids) would refer to them as intimidating and "feral" as in this survey. I find it despicable and shameful we have created such an unwelcoming society for what is a gift and our future. We hold a duty to our kids to organise and guide them, focusing their energy in healthy pursuits.nnI invite you to join the Barnados campaign and more to activeley challenge the attitude of any adult who does not treasure our future and views children as "feral".nn"Most children are not troublesome. They attend school, take part in activities and many volunteer in their communities" Barnadosnnhttp://www.barnardos.org.uk/wh...igning.htm

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November 17, 2008
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