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[Oisín]

Got an email there from Jan:


Dear Mr Patenall
 
Thank you for responding to our consultation on the draft Forestry Land Byelaws. We are considering your comments and will respond in detail in due course.
 
Regards
 
Jan Davidson
Policy and Legislation
Forest Service
' 028 905 24116

[RedLeader]

At least they're not just filing the requests in the bin!

Got an email there from Jan:


Dear Mr Patenall
 
Thank you for responding to our consultation on the draft Forestry Land Byelaws. We are considering your comments and will respond in detail in due course.
 
Regards
 
Jan Davidson
Policy and Legislation
Forest Service
' 028 905 24116

[Oisín]

That is true. All respect for replying to an email.

Saying email is a way to ignore people politely.

[admin]

http://www.build.ie/national_news.asp?newsid=128221

[preacherman]

Well folks they are listening ... I just recieved a reply from Jan Davidson ...

Dear Mr Mullen

Thank you for responding to our consultation on the draft Forestry Land Byelaws. Your views, together with comments from other stakeholders, will be taken into account in the development of the new Byelaws.

Regards

Jan Davidson
Policy and Legislation
Forest Service


Keep the emails rolling in ... it can make a difference

Andrew

[suspectmonkey]

Put a blog post together on the subject to try and spread the word a bit, so feel free to pass it on so we can try and get as many replies to the consultation as possible:

http://www.jonpatterson.co.uk/2011/curfews-for-ni-forests/

I've also put a link to a Word document with the suggested response letter pre-formatted, so it's easier than ever to add your comments and make your response.  Regardless of the outcome I for one will at least feel happier knowing I've made my feelings on the subject known, and I truly hope that our collective voices will at least cause some consideration to be given to the subject.

[suspectmonkey]

Just a quick update.  I was contacted today by the producer of Good Morning Ulster on BBC Radio Ulster.  It looks like they are going to run the story and will be speaking to Peter Jack, a member of Triangle Triathlon Club, along with a representative from the Forest Service.  I assume this is going to be on tomorrows show, so will be worth tuning in or catching it on iPlayer.

Disclaimer: Don't blame me if you get up at 6.30am to listen in and for whatever reason the story doesn't run tomorrow

[RedLeader]

This is on right now.

Just a quick update.  I was contacted today by the producer of Good Morning Ulster on BBC Radio Ulster.  It looks like they are going to run the story and will be speaking to Peter Jack, a member of Triangle Triathlon Club, along with a representative from the Forest Service.  I assume this is going to be on tomorrows show, so will be worth tuning in or catching it on iPlayer.

Disclaimer: Don't blame me if you get up at 6.30am to listen in and for whatever reason the story doesn't run tomorrow

[suspectmonkey]

Was just listening to it there.  I think Peter Jack was an excellent spokesperson and put across views that will be widely supported by the public.  I think that's what needs to be drilled home here, that this doesn't just affect those interested in niche sports but actually affects pretty much anyone who steps foot in a forest be it young/old/family whoever.  Very glad to see the piece got a good time slot right around the morning commute/school run time.  Now it will be interesting to see what the Forest Service decides to do with all the responses they have gathered from their consultation...

[RedLeader]

Did they mention the mountain biking issue at all?

Was just listening to it there.  I think Peter Jack was an excellent spokesperson and put across views that will be widely supported by the public.  I think that's what needs to be drilled home here, that this doesn't just affect those interested in niche sports but actually affects pretty much anyone who steps foot in a forest be it young/old/family whoever.  Very glad to see the piece got a good time slot right around the morning commute/school run time.  Now it will be interesting to see what the Forest Service decides to do with all the responses they have gathered from their consultation...

[Paul72]

I heard it too, I don't think mountain biking was mentioned specifically though.  I agree that Peter Jack spoke well on the issue, a bit repetitive at times but certainly got the issue across and I applaud him for that.  The Forest Service representative didn't seem to speak well at all and I think was at a loss for words at times when grilled by the presenter.

The consultation period ends today apparently so I'll be getting my email fired off to get my views across.

[RedLeader]

I think he was at a loss for words because he was defending something pretty indefensible. Regardless of whether this passes or not I still think we should campaign for a relaxing of the byelaws. I'm sick of being given lists of perfectly reasonable things that I can't do, like go have a quick bivvy in a forest when I'm doing absolutely no harm.

I heard it too, I don't think mountain biking was mentioned specifically though.  I agree that Peter Jack spoke well on the issue, a bit repetitive at times but certainly got the issue across and I applaud him for that.  The Forest Service representative didn't seem to speak well at all and I think was at a loss for words at times when grilled by the presenter.

The consultation period ends today apparently so I'll be getting my email fired off to get my views across.

[Samm]

Did the Forest Service representative give any reasons why they want to implement this bylaw?

[Paul72]

Agreed, it's very unfair and whilst I understand that they might want to keep out undesirable 'users' of the forests for people like us we should be allowed.  It's also bad for business as well, both in terms of the tourist trade and the outdoor shops. How is this helping the economic recovery?!  Maybe if there was some sort of permit for groups like us it would help?

In any case I've now sent my objections to Jan Davidson, Michelle O'Neill and my MLA.

Let's see what the response is!

[Paul72]

Did the Forest Service representative give any reasons why they want to implement this bylaw?

One argument put forward was for the safety of people using the forest with the example of people who got into trouble using the lake at Castlewellan a few years ago.  Understandable, yes but if you're a responsible user why should you be punished?

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