Updated 15.10.08

Contractors, on behalf of Hale Estates have partially closed the woodland adjacent to the park.  Major tree work is now in progress in the areas of Hale Hall ruins and the old Saw Mill Wood/Pits.  Numerous trees have already been felled including the well known Yew Trees that once stood next to Hale Hall North Front.

While walking by the old Cricket Pitch Friday afternoon, one workmen explained to me,, that up to over 30 trees have been marked out to be felled because of their dangerous nature, by or along, the unofficial paths that some seem to think are public right of way. 

Nevertheless,, these paths are on Hale Estate Land and have never been declared or made public paths, before you enter the woodland, Hale Estates do have several notices declaring that the woodland is privately owned and you enter at your own risk!   Also the paths, known as permissive routes, are open to the public because the owner has given permission for them to be used: often there is a notice on the path making clear the owner has no intention of dedicating the path as a right of way, and reserving the right to withdraw the permission. These paths are sometimes closed for one day a year, with a view to preventing claims that they are rights of way.

Please note,, that people in the parkland should not go and spectate when the trees are being felled/pollarded, for health and safety reasons.