Hi All,

A couple of weeks ago one of our members was challenged by the Wolfen Hall Gamekeeper for landing in the fields below Saddle End Farm.  It seems that the the owner of Wolfen Hall purchased Saddle End Farm and surrounding land a few years ago, as such they are now breeding game birds on the land surrounding Saddle End as well as the land directly below the east face of Parlick.

We have been asked not to land in the area marked in red on the plan, this is a much larger areas than previous.   Please adhere to this.

If you are approached by the game keeper please be respectful and understanding of their frustration with you, it is their livelihood after all.  Please report it to me so that I can manage the situation. 

As it was the PSC member involved had a good conversation with the gamekeeper and reported it to me straight away, this allowed me to contact both the game keeper & landowner to understand the issue and obtain the latest info of the Exclusion zone.

Thanks

Andy Archer

PSC Sites Officer

07824 321575

I have just been contacted by the secretary of the Rivington Soaring Association (modellers) stating that some of their members were stopped recently by Arqiva TV Mast security staff as they went up the road past the Winter Hill transmitter.

The staff told them that the bottom gate on the access road will be locked Monday-Friday overnight (17:00 to 08:00) and all day at the weekends, this is to restrict public vehicular access since the moorland fires.

I don’t think it is a bad thing if it restricts the BBQ brigade from setting fire to the moor again.  This use to be the arrangement at Winter Hill a few years back with a combination lock on both gates.

I have tried to get in contact with the UU Land Agent but at this point in time I am not sure when the lock is going on the gate, but I understand that any organisation that has an agreement with UU will be given the code to the lock.

Keep me posted if you find the gate locked or are challenged by the Arqiva TV Mast staff.

Andy Archer

PSC Sites Officer

07824 321574

RSPB have announced that there has been successful fledging of several hen harrier chicks in the Bowland Forest area. They request people stick to marked tracks in the area to avoid stressing these birds during the breeding season. Please be aware of this when flying in the area, and think carefully about landing out where you could disturb them.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-48607497#

We are now re-opening Winter Hill - The moor fires are extinguished and the access road is clear, therefore we see no reason to keep it closed.

I have been unable to speak to the landowners, United Utilities, however I flew over there recently in a light aircraft, as you can see the stone wall seems to have protected the takeoff.

If anyone uses the site and experiences any issues please let me know ASAP

Thanks

Andy Archer
Sites Officer