A History of Clewer

10. FUEL ALLOTMENTS

The Clewer Group

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The allotments were established, under an Act of Geo III passed in 1813 for the vesting of parts of Windsor Forest in His Majesty, by an Inclosure Award dated 8 June 1817 to be held in trust for the Poor Inhabitants of the Ancient Parish of Clewer as a compensation for the loss of their "right and liberty to cut, and take turves ferns and other fuel from the common land"; which gives rise to the title "Fuel Allotments".

The original site awarded was in Clewer Hill but, on 23 January 1890, that site was exchanged for the land forming the present site. At that time there were no houses and the new site was, effectively, the second field back from Hatch lane so a right a right of way was granted across the first field. The first field passed, on 5th February 1958, into the hands of developers, Messrs Wimpeys, who could not develop so as to obstruct the right of way and, in order to avoid remaining owners of the access strip in perpetuity, they sold it to the Trustees for a nominal sum on 10th August 1961.

The properties in Gordon Road developed over many years and are on a separate field which is completely separate from this land. The allotment access road is the sole private property of the Trustees and Is NOT a rear access to adjoining property.

The Trustees are mindful of the need to be good neighbours and are always willing to give favourable consideration to requests for permission to have access to repair or maintain fences etc and, if any neighbours need temporary access, they should contact me. There is no necessity for anyone to force entry, as has recently been done, and the Trustees have already demonstrated that they will not flinch from carrying out their Trustee's obligations to protect the land in the Courts when necessary.

One of the difficulties with this access is that many people do not know who to contact. All the Trustees duties are undertaken voluntarily, they are not immortal and there is no formal business address. However, The Rector of Clewer at Clewer Rectory is, by virtue of his office, always an ex-officio Trustee and can, at any time, be used as a means of contacting the Trustee's current Clerk.

I have explained the circumstances in detail, and given the long term permanent means of making contact, because it could be helpful not only to yourselves but also to any subsequent owners (and indeed to any solicitors involved in a property sale) if this letter is kept with the deeds of your property.