Willful Neglect?

The cost of fencing has obviously gone through the roof recently - despite the recession those greedy fencing contractors insist on pricing themselves out of the market. Even £28M in the bank is not enough apparently. The Talbot Village Trust has gathered a number of quotations but 'cannot afford' to replace the dilapidated fencing to the top horse paddock adjacent to the footpath by St Marks Church graveyard.

time to get a new fence?

Or maybe the Trust sees little point in spending any money whatsoever on land that they hope to cover in yet more executive homes as soon as possible?

The Trust acquired an extra 3 metres of land from the St Marks graveyard, widening the track to the 3 top paddocks. Although the graveyard is almost full and the land will be needed for local burials in the near future it seems obvious that its the trusts intention to use this wider access for a road to new development in the future.

The original track with the extra 3m to the right

From Alton Road

The top horse paddocks do occupy an enviable position, sited on the crest of a small hill its possible to see the New Forest in the far distance. Visitors are always surprised to find such a tranquil and rural scene in the middle of a conurbation as large as Bournemouth. Its an integral part of the character of Talbot Village. If houses are built here the view from the footpath and graveyard will be entirely lost.

Looking north towards Ensbury Park

Looking East towards the Woods