A big thank you to volunteers
(Email dated January 26, 2008, from Ann Weller, Lime Close, a volunteer herself)
I would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers, who worked long and hard on Lime Avenue. As a resident of Lime Close since 1966 I have seen many changes in the avenue, like the loss of part at the back of Oak Tree Court where it is sad to see it has become so over grown that people just dump their rubbish there. Residents who should look after it do not seem to care. It is so nice to know other people care about the avenue as I do. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.
Look out for hibernating hedgehogs
(Extract from a letter from Jo Burchett of Pine Walk, Uckfield, January 16 , 2008. Jo was one of the task day volunteers)
I am greatly concerned that wildlife might be disturbed during task days in Lime Tree Avenue. There could, for example, be a number of hibernating hedgehogs. We all know the damage and often death caused by strimmers and such-like on these harmless gentle little creatures.
I do hope that all those taking part in this exercise are aware of the wildlife contained therein and will approach it with sympathy and not in a ‘cavalier’ way.
If these little animals are disturbed at this time of year they will no doubt find it very difficult to relocate and settle for the remainder of the winter which has not reached its coldest yet and they could well die as a result.
Trees look better after haircut
(Ref: LTA 69a Transcript of letter from a Resident living on Manor Park Estate, Uckfield March 2006)
My interest in Lime Tree Avenue is one of almost 36 years when I first moved to my present house, which was then 3½ years old. In those days the Avenue was a stately approach to Uckfield House, crossed by Downsview Crescent and coming to an abrupt halt at Woodlands Close. The lower half was kept clear of leaves and other “natural” debris by the movement of cars and other vehicles to and from the secondary school’s car park, and of course the delivery lorries came right up to the rear entry to the school canteen’s kitchen. In those days there was certainly not the unsightly litter strewn everywhere by some of the lazy people who use the Avenue now. (The litter noticeably lessens during the school holidays so there is little doubt who the culprits are!).
Crossing Downsview Crescent, the pathway running up the side of Oaktree Court was almost as wide as the lower part (or should I say the top part, running in front of the gardens of the houses in Lime Tree Avenue). However, since the residents in Oaktree Court all decided, many years ago, to move their end garden fences back, some 10 feet or more, to enclose the “open” grassed area which we used to see so much of on the estate, the pathway has now been left to become overgrown with brambles, nettles, and bushes planted at the ends of the gardens which the Council have not insisted that the owners trim back.
Now, I was always of the understanding that on this estate, there were several “rights of way” crossing peoples gardens, this being one of them, and that the house owners had an obligation to keep the pathways clear for that purpose. If that is so, then how have they been allowed to get so neglected. Of course, like so many of the paths and “twittens” on the estate, (a clever move by Federated Homes Ltd., and the Council alike, to avoid future cost of upkeep) which are privately owned by joint houses in cul-de-sacs etc., but are public rights of way, when they fall into disrepair, no-one wants to know about chipping in and getting the job done. But, surely, if it is in our deeds that we are joint owners, then there should not be a “get out” clause, for anyone.
Anyway, I’m waffling on here and drifting from the Avenue a little, but because I’ve been here so long, I do get quite upset at so many areas which have just been let go because no one can be bothered, and who cares anyway?
This used to be quite attractive (for an estate anyway) and now some parts are far from that. Look at the muck and rubbish approaching the shops from Browns Close and such-like.
However, I’m sure this has all been said many times over, and to no avail!
I’m glad to see that some of the trees mentioned have had a good “haircut”. Last summer, some of the branches were particularly low, and even I had to duck to avoid the maggots which dangle from the leaves and end up caught in hair and clothing. So I’m most grateful for that. I’m also glad to see that the mattress has gone. It had been there for at least 18 months – the work of another lazy person, no doubt. Nice to see also, that the path in front of the houses has been trimmed back to its full width, exposing again all the 4 posts. Maybe all the residents in the Avenue will follow suit. Wouldn’t it be lovely.
Anyway, I’ve gone on for long enough. If I can be of any assistance in your quest, I would be only too pleased to try to help.
Yours sincerely,
J.B.