Originally funded mainly by the Parish Council, contributions
were also made by Hampshire Constabulary Crime Prevention Panel,
New Forest District Council and Lyndhurst Welfare Charities
Committee in the form of grants.
Over the years it has been the subject of vandalism and general
wear and tear and its future looked bleak as repairs by Fearless
Ramps were estimated to be in the region of £2,000, which represents a sizeable chunk out of the Parish Council precept for 2004/05 of £18,500.
However, when the Parish Clerk, Margaret Weston and Recreation
Ground Chairman Mark Rolle visited the ramp in late summer they
met with a group of youngsters who had travelled from Ringwood
to use the ramp.
The boarders stated that "Its quirky charm makes it unique in the area".
Apparently wooden surfaces are not in evidence in many places. Pleas
were made for its continued survival and one lad had even brought
hammer and nails along to try to repair recent damage to the ramp.
So the ramp's future was once again referred back to the Parish
Council, who saved the day - deciding that the few youngsters
who had spoilt it for others by trying to ruin the ramp would
not cloud the Council's judgement.
Fearless Ramps were called in and just before Christmas the ramp
was restored - the graffiti remains intact but the ramp has a nice
new wooden surface.
