Mail from FoSCP to Ian Bushell, Clive Knight, Simon Knight. Fri 30/07/2021 16:58
Subject: URGENT
Julie Newblé has sent a message: “Fishing line has been strung up in the trees in the far corner of village green. It could be very dangerous to people and wildlife. I have nothing to cut the line with and I won’t be able to come back. I have to meet the children.“
It’s in the clearing where the ash poles were burned last year. Can anybody respond?
Mail from Clive Knight to FoSCP. Fri 30/07/2021 18:10
I have just phoned Simon. In about 30 mins we will meet up and go over to clear it. I will let you know when we have finished.
Message from Julie Newblé to FoSCP :
I will try and clear it tomorrow, hopefully no one, or a dog or wildlife gets injured before then
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[1] Fishing line strung through the trees in Village Green woods; [2] Simon’s picture of the fishing line he and Clive cut down.
Message from FoSCP to Julie Newblé:
I have sent our emergency crew; Clive and Simon are on the case as we speak. Thanks for letting us know.
Mail from Clive Knight to FoSCP Fri 30/07/2021 19:54
We have just cleared all the fishing line. There was so much strung cobweb style through the trees, up to about waist height, that it took us half an hour to clear it all. More worrying was the line along the ground with brush placed over it. Simon has taken pictures of the line collected to pass onto PCSO Mat Till. We need to keep an eye on this corner.
Message from Julie to FoSCP:
Oh thank goodness, I was worried I’d find a deer or something trapped in it, I’m just pleased it’s sorted. I felt bad I didn’t have time to sort it myself.
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[3] & [4] A roe doe and her two half grown kids, regular visitors to the reserve, photographed in 2017 by DKG
Message from FoSCP to Julie:
Don’t worry about it. You do enough to help as it is. There are times when I wonder what we would do without your vigilant daily presence.
Mail from FoSCP to Clive Knight Fri 30/07/2021 20:13
Thank you for acting so promptly, Clive.
I expect it is just children without a thought for the possible consequences to people, dogs and wildlife. At least, I hope it’s children because the alternative would be horrible. Apparently, psychologists think that adolescent male primates are designed not to think of consequences so that they have the courage to leave the clan, tribe or troop and swing off through the trees on their own. I just wish they wouldn’t do it in our nature reserve.
Stay Safe
Header image by Julie Newblé
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 
What ever will they think of next! Thank you for responding to the troublemakers so quickly and effectively. The Countryside team need to know about this and the response the Friends gave. This prompt action should also be passed on to Wiltshire Council please.
I agree. As the county cuts back on the money it is spending on our green spaces, it is organisations like the Friends that are stepping up to keep people safe.
Well done everybody!