Cooksbridge, Offham & Hamsey

WATER REPAIRS: I have had so many calls to ask me what has been going on here as we have had traffic lights on the B2116 on two occasions. South East Water have been repairing, firstly the meter adjoining our field on the B2116 opposite the farm, and secondly a bit further down, still on the B2116, where they had to repair the mains water pipes which had been damaged some time ago. It meant that on both occasions traffic lights had to be installed, the first time very close to our main gates which certainly had its problems as one very early morning a huge lorry, or should I say container, thought it was going to come and unload in here. Fortunately my son had spotted it slowing down and stopped it coming in, but not before the river got very annoyed. I should point out that this time it was nothing to do with the development at Mount Harry. It had big problems trying to then get out from our entrance gates to turn on the B2116 which, because of the lights caused a hold-up. For those who got caught up in it and called me, it was a delivery for further along the road. The work has now been completed and the lights removed last Friday. The one good thing about the traffic lights was that it slowed down the idiots who drive along this road thinking they are on a speed track. No sooner had the lights been removed and the speed merchants were enjoying their freedom again. Last week there were two accidents, one at the junction of the B2116 which joins the A275, and another where there was a hold-up along near Novington Lane which is on the B2116.

NATIONAL PARKS: Report from my latest edition of British Farmer and Grower. Parks must recognise role of farming, says NFU. A duty to consider economic and social issues as part of the blueprints for National parks and areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty should be strengthened, the NFU said in its response to an independent review. The NFU also called for improved consultation with farmers, and recognition that farm businesses must modernise to remain competitive, if they are to continue to deliver benefits for millions of visitors to such areas.