Access concerns over Donnington Castle electronic gate plan, Sad state of affairs. Options

[Andy Capp]

Not at all, just working the problem on its given facts. The complaint was about litter (provocatively described as anti-social behaviour) and stolen lead from the roof of the castle, but I can't find any reference to the lead going missing from the roof of the keep on either the English Haritage web site or Newbury Today, and I'd have expected such a theft to have been reported. So if it's just a couple of McDonald's wrappers then I don't see what the fuss is all about. If there's something else going on then it would have been useful to report that, and it's reasonable to assume in the absence of that report then there isn't anything else.

Although the lightning strip might have been lifted, it seems the last time any lead was stolen from the castle was by Parliament.

[Simon Kirby]

Although the lighting strip might have been lifted, it seems the last time any lead was stolen from the castle was by Parliament.

[blackdog]

Although the lightning strip might have been lifted, it seems the last time any lead was stolen from the castle was by Parliament.

Something like 30-40% of the roof was deleaded a few years ago - when I was on the roof a couple of years back much of it was covered by roofing felt (same as my garden shed).

The gate is (as far as I can see) being installed by the new owner of Donnington Castle House (Chris Gent) - to restrict access over his property (the road up to the castle is the drive to the house) to that agreed in the past. English Heritage are very happy about it according to the statement given in the newspaper article.

When the gate is closed there is still access to the castle using the pedestrian gate.

When I first came to Newbury the gate was always closed and locked at 6.30pm - I was never there early enough to say when it was opened. That would be when Parker-Bowles owned the house. In between there has been another owner who evidently wasn't so worried about cars coming and going at all hours.

[Andy Capp]

When I first came to Newbury the gate was always closed and locked at 6.30pm - I was never there early enough to say when it was opened. That would be when Parker-Bowles owned the house. In between there has been another owner who evidently wasn't so worried about cars coming and going at all hours.

I know in the early 80s it was possible to drive there and we would occasionally do so to listen to the car radio and watch shooting stars across the sky. This would have been about 22:00 on a Friday.

[Newbelly]

I know in the early 80s it was possible to drive there and we would occasionally do do so to listen to the car radio and watch shooting stars across the sky. This would have been about 22:00 on a Friday.

That sounds quite romantic.

[Andy Capp]

That sounds quite romantic.

We would also go to Beacon Hill for similar reasons. Sometimes we would also go to Heston Services for food after the pub as well. Perhaps you'd like to belittle that as well?

[Newbelly]

Sometimes we would also go to Heston Services for food after the pub as well.

Did the pub not serve food? I thought Heston services was on the M4.

[Andy Capp]

Did the pub not serve food? I thought Heston services was on the M4.

not in the evening of the ones I'd go to, but to be fair, it was just an excuse for something to do after the pub shut. Not far off the same time TV went off-air in the evenings! Those were the days in the early 80s.

[JeffG]

Instead of a gate, why not install rising bollards?

[Timbo]

Instead of a gate, why not install rising bollards?

That would provide more comedy value when someone inevitably drives over them.

[dannyboy]

Not at all, just working the problem on its given facts. The complaint was about litter (provocatively described as anti-social behaviour) and stolen lead from the roof of the castle, but I can't find any reference to the lead going missing from the roof of the keep on either the English Haritage web site or Newbury Today, and I'd have expected such a theft to have been reported. So if it's just a couple of McDonald's wrappers then I don't see what the fuss is all about. If there's something else going on then it would have been useful to report that, and it's reasonable to assume in the absence of that report then there isn't anything else.

Maybe it is littering & ASB. Regardless, the new owner wants to stop vehicles using his drive in the evening. It is his drive.

[Andy Capp]

Maybe it is littering & ASB. Regardless, the new owner wants to stop vehicles using his drive in the evening. It is his drive.

Then he should cough?

[dannyboy]

Then he should cough?

I'm sure he will.

[andy1979uk]

I'm sure he will.

It is just sad that people cannto be trusted, am guessing it is only in recent years with this latest useless generation that it has become a real problem.

[Andy Capp]

It is just sad that people cannto be trusted, am guessing it is only in recent years with this latest useless generation that it has become a real problem.

Oh definitely, go back 25 or more years and Newbury was crime free and there was absolutely no antisocial behaviour.

[dannyboy]

Oh definitely, go back 25 or more years and Newbury was crime free and there was absolutely no antisocial behaviour.

or the 1950s, 1920s, etc tec

the only thing that has changed is people's knowledge & toleration of such behaviour.

Anyway, I have a feeling that the ASB is more likely 40+ adventurous couples & swingers busy dogging the night away.

[andy1979uk]

Oh definitely, go back 25 or more years and Newbury was crime free and there was absolutely no antisocial behaviour.

It mainly all goes back to the welfare state.

[x2lls]

It mainly all goes back to the welfare state.

So only those on benefits drop litter and are responsible for ASB?

[andy1979uk]

So only those on benefits drop litter and are responsible for ASB?

Nope, but the welfare state is responsble for probably 90% of the countries problems.

Immigration
Teen Pregnancies
Unemployed 18-24 year olds

list goes on

[Timbo]

What about the unemployed 24 year olds or those who are older..............................
You seem to have such an issue with the youth of today, Andy. And it's wrong and unjustified unfortunately :/