IT seems that the Forestry Commission have decided to re-write the Magna Carta; which did allow the common man to enter forests and take deadwood for firewood, repairing homesteads, fixing tools and equipment and making charcoal. And this at a time when fuel bills are going through the roof.

But by citing health and safety issues, the Forestry Commission have ended this activity as bluntly as a fallen pine crashing on to the forest floor.

Now the majority of people who take advantage of this right live within, or very close to, the forest and so the wood burning is a carbon-neutral activity and of course very cheap – with a typical 30-day licence costing £10.50. It allows debris to be cleared away perhaps making the forest cleaner and safer to manage, to everyone's benefit.

However, this seems to be one rule for the common man and another for the hunting fraternity who can obtain so-called Drag Hunting licences to roam around forests with Quad Bikes, 4x4 vehicles, hounds and, of course, often around 50 riders.

Here all the health and safety issues are left to the "Good Practice" guide defined by the master of Foxhounds Association, who seem to control the Commission managers.

One wonders how many foxes are killed under this guide and how safe the general public are with this group running around the forest? Especially when their "special" trail drifts by "accident" on to the scent of a real fox and a marauding pursuit at speed ensues thoughout the forest. Where are the Health and Safety management and controls here?

It would appear that one rule exists for the common man and another for the hunting fraternity for access to our beautiful forests.

Graham Forsyth

Chard

BBC shame

SO two highly paid presenters working for the BBC – filthy-mouthed Jonathan Ross and disgusting comedian Russell Brand – have been caught making obscene phone calls to actor Andrew Sachs.

Instead of condoning such activities by these two highly paid gutter presenters the corporation's executives should be appalled. Their first step to put matters right should be to sack Ross and Brand – and then have them investigated for sending such calls over the airways. It is an offence.

But the BBC, which over the years has sunk into a cesspit of filth in its attempt to gain ratings will, I suspect, sit back and enjoy the publicity it has gained.

The future looks bleak. If this is what we pay a huge licence fee for then God help us all!

Colin Richey

Tiverton

Ron no Redford

WE know Ron Bendell revels in his role as a Philistine, or, in modern parlance, a Redneck. I am sure he writes with his tongue in his cheek and he can be quite amusing.

However, in his article attacking vegetarians (I am not one) he goes too far in joking he would organise an expedition to witness the culling of baby seals in Canada. Most decent people would find the experience revolting, not amusing.

In a previous article, Ron said he once swapped a girlfriend for a dog and it was a good deal.

Without wishing to be rude or personal to Ron (in truth I am happy to be both) having seen him on TV, I think he can consider himself lucky to have had a girlfriend. Robert Redford he isn't!

John Relph

Torquay

Poppy Appeal

TO inform your readers that the Paignton Branch of the Royal British Legion will be manning its Poppy HQ in the Lime Tree pub function room, Paignton, until November 11. It will be open from noon to 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Membership can be renewed, wreaths collected and any other information on the Remembrance services is available. Last year the Paignton appeal raised more than £22,000 which went to ex-servicemen and women who needed help. The branch looks forward to your support.

We will remember them.

Major Ron Goodwin

Poppy Appeal Organiser Royal British Legion

Council must act

I RESPOND to the letter (September 30) by Councillor Brian Greenslade, leader of Devon County Council, headed "Unitary will end council tax lottery".

Hartland and Bradworthy, the largest ward within the Torridge district, has paid Devon County Council £2,446,068 each year for the past two years and, prior to the amalgamation of the two parishes, Hartland on its own has been paying the county council £714,785 per year. Given these figures, when will the lottery end, and the county council install a footpath beside the road from Hartland Cross to the Hartland Village, for the safety of pedestrians – especially children?

Should this not be done soon and a fatality occurs, it would prove that the County Council has no regard for rural parishes.

Bill Pillman

Hartland parish and Torridge District councillor Hartland/Bradworthy Ward

Illegal patriotism

IT has been brought to my attention that the displaying of our GB flag over the EU ring of stars on car registration plates is deemed to be breaking the law – and will result in a failed MoT unless removed.

Apparently this happened to someone at a garage in Salisbury last week. A garage refused to issue a certificate on these grounds.

UKIP MP, Bob Spink, is aware of this and has tabled two questions on the subject.

We await the result with much interest.

Time to govern ourselves, is it not?

Tess Nash

Helston