www.sows-on-mendip.com

sows-on-mendip was the web page for "SAVE OUR WARDENS SERVICE on MENDIP"

HISTORICAL NOTE

For over 25 years we have benefited from an excellent Warden Service upon the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Somerset.

Unannouced plans were brought about to close down the Mendip Warden role, and this was discovered by SOWS just prior to Christmas 2008, who then fought a strong campaign to save the roles and employment of the two fine Wardens, Les Davies and Tina Bath.

The Two Wardens gave the A.O.N.B - a first rate Public Profile and delivery.
I wish to place on record both my personal, and what I know to be the view of many Mendip A.O.N.B residents-our thanks and congratulations for the above average service provided by the Senior Warden Les DAVIES and his deputy Tina BATH.

These two had given freely of their advice and been generous of their time on many occasions, displaying warmth and friendly welcome to all of those whom they meet in the course of their A.O.N.B Role. The Senior Warden's tireless efforts resulted in official recognition by the award of an M.B.E.
The deputy Warden has worked in all winds and weathers training many a volunteer in the skills of dry-stone walling or hedge laying.Tina BATH's dedication and sheer dogged hard work recently culminated in her coming top of the National Ladies Championship for Hedge Laying, a hard won, but well deserved victory.

A Campaign commenced with a Petition to try to stall or cancel the AONB Plans to cull the Warden Role and save the jobs of the two Wardens.

SOWS wish to thank all of the 3000+ people who had signed or pledged support, and those who kindly hosted it at The Hunters Lodge Inn, the New Inn,Priddy, The Red Lion Inn, Draycott, CRS Builders Merchants, Cheddar. New Inn, Blagdon.East & West Harptree Village Stores. Cave & Climb Outdoor pursuits,Cheddar. Priddy Farm Shop. The Burrington Arms & Cafe. Lilypool Cafe, Shipham. The Blue Bowl Inn, West Harptree. Draycott Post Office, The Strawberry Special PH,Draycott, Dental Surgery Harptree, and the "Gorge Outdoors", Cheddar.

The Mid-Somerset Newspaper Group rendered first rate press support throughout this campaign.The Western Daily Press have also gave superb press coverage by Tina Rowe,and a further petition. BBC Radio Somerset ran a live interview Sat 3rd January 2009

Many conservation groups supported SOWS, and were joined by more than ten concerned Parish Councils. In Excess of 5,750 Hits were made upon the SOWS Webpage.

CHEDDAR PARISH COUNCIL as a AONB Partnership Member had formally called for an emergency meeting, in order that the AONB could try to justify and be questioned on their action (Friday 9th. January 2009), and as a direct result this was held on the 4th. February 2009 at UBLEY VILLAGE HALL.

Les Davies and Tina Bath deserved much further praise for their silent dignified composure throughout the various meetings which they had been instructed to attend, they will be remembered for years to come.

Sadly the fight was lost and as of Tuesday 31st. March 2009, the Mendips became a poorer place, Les Davies and Tina Bath as Mendip Wardens are no more, this indeed was a "BLACK TUESDAY" , and will serve as a reminder of the sad and questionable decision made by those who made the policy which culminated in the removal of the Wardens from the Mendips.

2010 VIEW:
"There is in fact now clear and visable evidence that with the culling of the Wardens, Fly tipping is at an all time high upon the Mendips, certainly Off road damage to Blackdown is running at worrying levels, all of this was controlled when Les Davies and Tina Bath did their regular patrols. Who does it now? A few well meaning but easily ignored Voiunteers, which also sadly and largely does not include those hardy and rugged individuals who supported the Wardens, the A.O.N.B Voluntary Rangers, many of whom retired early to show their disgust at the treatment of Les and Tina".

I am not sure what eulogy would match the departed Wardens Les and Tina's talent, drive and dedication, to those who helped and supported the SOWS Campaign, a heartfelt THANK YOU!

Both Les and Tina could still be seen upon the hill this wet and windy Winter and are both still as keen as mustard in their respective self employment's managing orchards, giving lectures, dry stone wall building and hedge laying.

Their keenness and humour in the face of adversity is a pleasure to see, and it underlines the loss to the Mendip Hills A.O.N.B and the general public who formerly would have had the opportunity to attend their skill displays and training days.

SOWS do wish however, to record their gratitude to Barry James Esq, Group Manager, Environment Directorate, Somerset County Council, for his willingness to have engaged in dialogue during the SOWS campaign.

SO WHAT WORTH WHERE OUR MENDIP WARDENS ??? It is a pity that this was not taken into consideration by those local authority members and council staff made their fateful decision, most especially in the light of their 10 year plan which is supposed to benefit both the local and more distant populace.

There was a Meeting of the Partnership Committee on Thursday 18th.March at UBLEY Village Hall, ..it was A Public meeting,and this time, SOWS were not denied their right to sit in on the meeting. Hopefully, it was a way forward for the AONB and ways to ensure that the body engages with the community did emerge. Sadly only three members of the public attended including SOWS.

In fairness David Haffey, the specialist advisor to the AONB was most courteous,constructive, objective and generous in talking with SOWS after the meeting.

As a result of the Ubley meeting, proposals were enacted that means you now have a reformed Partnership Committee upon which three elected Parish representatives are to serve.

I am honoured and consider myself fortunate to be one of those three, and our role is not to take on our own particular Parish Councils mandate, but to wholeheartedly take on board the greater role of representing as in my case Eleven Parish Councils and their perceived local needs within the AONB. I pledge to support the Mendip Hills AONB and its Officers, as we strive forward to meet new challenges and goals, and support the new Long term plans of the AONB as they evolve.


l a s t n o t e >>>>>>>>>>>>

SOWS has now run its course, I feel that we had a very worthy cause, with the careers of two superb employees, Les Davies and Tina Bath at stake.

Both have now moved on to fresher pastures, and there is now no benefit in repeating what has gone before, hopefully people may have learnt from the perceived mistakes which were made.

There remains regret at their demise, but there remains hope, .....hope that should ever the 'financial state' improve, the role of 'Mendip Hills Warden' may like the proverbial pheonix, rise again upon the 'Hill'

To Tina and Les, from all on or around the Mendips, Good Luck, Good Fortune and Good Tidings, and most of all, thank you!

Nigel Taylor,

Tuesday 29th. June 2010
01934-742626 or Mobile 07860-227815