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Unofficial work in Radford Park? - J (30th Jun 2014 - 14:37:11) I wonder who has been pulling up the Himalayan Balsam in Radford Park over the past few days? I have no problems with attempts to keep it in check but why have large piles of it been left covering the footpath forcing user of the park to go in the mud at the side of the path? Surely two days is long enough for it to be moved? The state of the paths at the Locke Road end of the park is bad enough without this added unnecessary hazard to contend with.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - s (30th Jun 2014 - 17:16:40) This was not unofficial work, it was undertaken by liphook cubs, scouts and beavers as part of community scout week. The plant is not native and they were advised to pile and leave as it will quickly decompose allowing native plants to grow through.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - J (1st Jul 2014 - 13:46:50) Do they think it's ok to leave the piles of vegetation obstructing the path? Some of the piles are to the side of the paths but one in particular is covering the entire width of the path.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - liz (1st Jul 2014 - 14:29:09) There is one obvious answer J if it bothers you that much.......!

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - Ian (1st Jul 2014 - 15:51:48) Like so many of the volunteers that work hard in their free time to make Liphook a better place, we should be thanking the scouts rather than looking to find fault in the voluntary work that these youngsters gave up some of their Saturday to do. Maybe J you can go along sometime and contribute in a positive way.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - s (1st Jul 2014 - 16:08:26) The Thursday night pack will be there again on Thursday evening after 7pm, maybe you can help show them and help them correct their error as they endeavour to help tidy up more of the park for the community!

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - Editor (1st Jul 2014 - 17:07:11) Hi I think you are being a little unfair to original poster. I've not witnessed the scene to know how bad it is, but those supervising the cubs, scouts and beavers should have ensured that no rights of way are blocked by the activities. Alan

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - Jeanette Kirby (1st Jul 2014 - 17:26:48) I would like to say a big thank you to the scouts and cubs for their hard work at Radford Park. It was carried out after agreeing work areas with members of the Radford Park Working Group. They were properly supervised and helped to clear rhododendron and himalyan balsam (which are invasive species) and were asked to leave the balsam in piles to rot down naturally. Perhaps persons unknown decided it was fun to spread some of it around? It just takes a quick call to the Parish Office for someone to come and ensure everything is tidy. I think it is great to see such enthusiasm from youngsters in our community, setting a good example to us all. As a little reminder more work parties are scheduled to begin again in August. There is still a lot of work to be done around the Park and we'd love to have more volunteers - young and old alike!

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - Susie (1st Jul 2014 - 19:26:52) Could it be looked into to open up the path at the cave end of the park? I went along it today and it doesn't need much doing to it to make it a bit more accessible. I know it doesn't really go anywhere but it was lovely up there this afternoon, lots of different birds.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - liz (2nd Jul 2014 - 09:17:30) Alan If J is elderly or infirm then I apologise - otherwise not! Well done to the scouts for clearing the Himalayan Balsam which although pretty is vary invasive and pushes out native species.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - J (2nd Jul 2014 - 14:47:09) I'm amazed at some of the reactions to my original post! The path is still blocked (bar about 6 inches) between the exits to Malthouse Meadows and The Maltings. Elderly people and families with baby buggies do actually use the park especially at this time of year and it is impassable at that point. I would have thought that common sense would have told the people supervising the clearance that the right place for vegetation to rot down would not be on the path. I don't feel it fair that I should be called upon to defend my post when I was caring about other people but just for the record I also participate in many voluntary ventures whilst not being young enough to help with something such as this! We're not all youngsters who love to trample through the mud rather than walk on the path. Thank you to the people who will be moving the obstruction on Thursday.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - helen (2nd Jul 2014 - 15:14:17) I cannot see that there is a reference to the balsam being moved on thursday only that more work will take place. I imagine that those people fit enough to walk around the park could offer help in some way, perhaps a few kind words for the volunteers.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - Jane (2nd Jul 2014 - 15:39:56) I've just walked my dog around the park and the Scouts have done a sterling job. There is a pile of debris part way across the path leading up from the car park but it is passable as it doesn't cover the whole path. Well done Scouts for helping to keep our park beautiful!

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - M (3rd Jul 2014 - 10:12:10) Rights of way should not be blocked regardless of intent and if the plan is that they mulch then they should not have been placed on the path in the first place. Poor supervision? I witnessed the poor access although it is better now. More care should be taken to ensure the elderly/prams etc. have the access they need at all times. I also think that many people on here (one in particular) were overtly hostile towards the original and well meaning poster. Doing good deeds doesn't give you the right to act in a hostile and rude way. Manners first please.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - liz (3rd Jul 2014 - 10:28:02) M Comments are not rude or hostile just because you don't happen to agree with them. There is no rudeness or hostility on this post so please don't preach. It is also good to see support for the scouts hard work.

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - helen (3rd Jul 2014 - 11:28:08) i think that the path in Radford Park could not be described as a right of way, unless there is an official footpath sign there? surely a little help in moving it is all that is needed not all this hot air!

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - Big Si (4th Jul 2014 - 05:38:59) Sometimes things that miraculously happen, defy explanation. Big piles of leaves in Radford Park may have a rational explanation and wonderfully here on Talkback it is forthcoming. What is fundamentally clear is that we all want Radford Park to remain open, beautiful and ours. To do that requires either money and lots of it, or volunteers and lots of them. Well sadly there only a few hardcore who regularly devote blood, toil, tears and sweat to do so. Please folks, complain all you like, here on Talkback, in the street, the pub, or in the park itself, but whether you think the job is being done right or wrong, lend a helping hand at least once. You would feel better, be more informed about what is happening and why... and you could stuff in your two-penneth at the same time. oh and bring your kids along...teach them some country craft and community spirit....you'll be amazed at the smiles, Bet the cubs and scouts were smiling at a job well done. Good on 'em!

Re: Unofficial work in Radford Park? - sjenner (5th Jul 2014 - 07:48:39) Here here Big Si! Well done the volunteers and scouts!

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