Please
pass this information on to your DofE staff and teams
We have
recently received complaints from residents and landowners in the following
three areas and we therefore respectfully ask that if you are visiting these
areas for your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expeditions you heed the specific
advice given.
The Charity
remains committed to ensuring participants are given appropriate training on
the Countryside Code and respectful behaviour when in local communities or
using campsites. An article in issue 23 of the DofE Magazine by Peter Fleet,
Director for London Region also reminded
Leaders of these aspects of training.
As many of our Licensed Organisations undertake this
year’s Expeditions, please ensure that as well as covering all the relevant
aspects of behaviour with your participants before they go on expedition,
should they be in the areas below that they are particularly sensitive to
locals’ concerns.
Thank you for your continued support of the DofE and
may we take the opportunity to wish you very enjoyable expeditions over the
coming months!
Chartridge/Braid
Wood/Chesham Area of Buckinghamshire
We remain
committed to promoting the principles discussed above, and respectfully ask
that all groups visiting the area are sensitive to the area and its residents.
Little
Baddow, Essex
Footpath near
New Lodge Farm, Little Baddow, Essex (GR: 768 068)
We
have had reports that groups have unwittingly diverted off the footpath between
Grace’s Lane & Chapel Lane causing stress and inconvenience to the local
residents and livestock.
As
a result please avoid using this footpath for DofE Expeditions and instead use
the footpath to the East via Blake’s Wood or alternatively via Waterhall
Meadows Nature Reserve to the West.
If
it is not possible to use alternative footpaths, please exercise extreme
caution to ensure that groups remain on the footpath at all times.
Waltham
Abbey
Waltham Abbey
area, Essex (GR: TL 383021)
We have
respectfully been asked that the area immediately next to Eagle Lodge is not
used as a checkpoint by DofE Leaders who have allegedly been staying for hours
beside the lodge with vehicles, chairs and picnics.
Where
possible, safe and easily applicable, please use a different checkpoint.
However, if this is not possible, please be respectful to the residents and
don’t park vehicles, set up chairs etc and please don’t stay longer than is
absolutely necessary.
With our
thanks for your cooperation.