OK... where was the inferance that the letterboxing community would remove caches? We'd really like to know where that came from. We have been in contact with some very respected members of that community during this debate, and they are/were actually supportive of us, and wanted us to succeed. Well done guys, you've probably alienated them now.Originally posted by Teasel@Oct 4 2003, 12:00 AM
Negotiations were in progress, so if the FC had asked that all NF caches be immediately deactivated pending further discussion, then no doubt this request would have been passed on to the relevant cache owners. I'm sure the FC can negotiate for themselves, without the "assistance" of the letterboxing community! Let's face it, the FC must now be aware of the locations of all the caches in the NF and if they explicitly demanded their removal, I can't see anyone refusing (whether or not it's a long multicache!.
All we have done here is asked some questions of our chairman, That chairman, instead of answering them (online or offline) decided to resign... we believe this is history repeating itself. We are sorry if our questions were OTT, but we were fed up of receiving a deadly scilence when we asked a question. We'd have settled for an e-mail, or even a out and out lie.
From the statement that talks are continuing with the FC on both a national and local level? Without being able to comment on the national discussions, and keeping that wish 100%? Wouldn't that mean two completely seperate discussions on the same topic? That's a dangerous game to play. We accept that we may have been given the wrong end of the stick here.
Whilst we accept that many caches are places with the landowner blissfully unaware of their existence, we do question the, it seems GAGB, stance that we do not have to follow the rules of the land. Well, we would dispute that and state that any caches should be inline with any extra regulations that the land it is on has... in this case severe restrictions for two months of the year. Without picking up that rule of the land you are endangering deer AND cacher alike. The FC don't want people roaming off track in the forest for several reasons in October, not least the much increased chances of getting shot. Play safe guys... is a kevlar jacket part of your caching kit? And who is going to stand up for the deer population in all this? They don't have a DAGB, so they are probably now happily going around not discussing caching. That is until next year when a cacher hurts their young.
The forest and wildlife are infinitely more important that the game or geocaching. If we carry on doing what we are, then the general public will be against us and we will be dead as a game not only in the New Forest. That could be the major achievement of the GAGB... how proud we'll be then
Finally, we are very pleased now, it has to be said, to not have a chairman who resorts to "**** off" when people state their opposing views. This was never personal, but we do not feel that we can condone that sort of behaviour from any of our members, let alone elected officials. Sorry to throw "****" and "crap" but that is not what we are doing, and we think that you will find they are the only times we've sworn on a forum.
All we ever wanted is answers to the questions we asked, and for some common sense re the deer in the forest. That's still all we want.