The residents of Torchacre Rise enjoyed an unexpected visit from the Fire service on Sunday (19th May) to deal with a fire which was spreading through the bracken beneath the woods of Stinchcombe Hill. This “Local Green Space”, sometimes referred to as “Land off Hardings Drive”, was the subject of a protracted and deliberate campaign of misinformation by some of the residents who were appalled at the thought of possible future development of this piece of privately-owned land.
One of the residents who was so vocal in his opposition to any form of development appears to have been the very person who set light to a bonfire on the land on Sunday afternoon – presumably believing that it was his “right” to do so (rather than burning his rubbish on his own land) which then led to the setting alight of the bracken on the hillside. What an absolute idiot…….. we do hope that the landowner will be made aware of his trespass and destruction and that the Fire service make a charge for attending in order to extinguish the fire before the actions of this inconsiderate individual led to further, and widespread damage. Use of the fire hydrant in the street resulted in the water supply to some residents turning brown for a period; further inconvenience for the residents as a result of his inconsiderate actions!