River Barle - Tarr Steps to Exe Confluence

[D1883UK]

The access has been withdrawn for part of this river and is made clear at Tarr Steps. The Exmoor Rangers are hoping to restore this local agreement for access but not until next year.
Reason for this access being stopped is partly due to inconsiderate paddlers in the past, and also the worry of the local owner getting sued if something happens on his stretch of water.
The BCU have not helped at all with the access campaign allowing it to be open 365 days per year, even though this would not be possible due to very low water levels in the summer months.
This is going to cost the local economy a lot of lost income as it is a very favourable river.
The only other get in point on the Barle is at Marsh Bridge, just on the outskirts of Dulverton towards Tarr Steps, and if you get permission from the Anchor Inn staff at Exebridge before paddling this is a get out point. Distance around 2 – 3 miles total.
Has anyone paddled down past the Anchor Inn recently? If so please let me know when and where you got out, along with any problems encountered as have a group of approx 30 and would like to have a bit longer paddle that 2 – 3 miles. Thanks

[Strad]

I think there is already some comment on this in this this thread...

http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=40985

might have been worth a search first?

[storm]

Just get on and paddle cant see him takeing 30 of you to court.
Steve

[Tony Aiuto]

Thanks for the update Simon.

Can you give a more detailed description of this chap?

Has anyone else paddling the river this season? Any problems?

We are paddling this at the end of the month, so any info would be appreciated.

[WWBrue]

The man that challenged us was a fisherman. He had European accent. I have his name but I am reluctant to post it online. I don’t think that he was the landowner but he was fishing near Tarr Steps. In fact, he was the only fisherman I have seen on the Barle in 12 years – we normally canoe on Wednesdays.

He took photos of the group getting on the water (we didn’t object, although some might!). Despite the photography he was actually fairly cordial.

A few days later I received a robust phone call from the landowner (double barrelled name). He informed me that my actions were ‘criminal’ and that he intended to take me legal action against me. I can’t remember the exact words but ‘criminal’ was definitely in there! Sadly, I was teaching at the time and couldn’t engage in conversation. I have heard nothing since. The school has also received a letter of complaint from the fisherman; which is being dealt with.

We have been in contact with the LAO, Adam Box, and as far as I understand Canoe England are supportive of our actions.

Feel free to contact me via the Millfield school website.

Simon

[Adrian Cooper]

If you get in at Withypool, no-one will see you drift past Tarr Steps and you will have no cars here. It's a nice section.

[jmmoxon]

Adrian - there's no water at Tarr Steps at mo, definitely won't get down from Withypool.

Mike

[janet brown]

I think the parents of those photographed should send letters of complaint to the fisherman!

Janet

[andy g]

Tony
A group of 6 of us from SE London paddled the R Barle from Marshgate down to Exbridge last Friday (15th Oct). We saw no fishermen at all and were not challenged by anyone, in fact we got some warm greetings from spectators on the bank, some of whom appeared to be locals.
The river was low-ish , hence not starting from Tarrs Steps, but not too much of a bump and scrape.
We also paddled the Exe from Bolham down to Bickleigh on the Sunday which was very similar in terms of water levels.
I hope you get some rain before you are due to paddle.
Regards
Andy

[Tony Aiuto]

Thanks Andy,

I'll report back from our paddle.

[jmmoxon]

There is no law against photographing children By Jemima Lewis

Afterwards, I rang the Home Office. They assured me that there is no law against taking photographs of other people's children, provided you do not harass or harm them.

The objecting landowner is upstream of Marsh Bridge. As long as you didn't cause any damage then they can only try to take you to court for trespass, which is a civil offence.

Mike

[Tony Aiuto]

We paddled from Tarr Steps to Dulverton on Sat. The first of our group to arrive were approached by the Ranger, who just wanted to make them aware of the situation regarding the now not so new Riparian owner. (I will post a picture of the current signage)
While the shuttle was taking place the Riparian owner turned up dressed in his Point to Point riding gear and started to take photo's of those present. None of our group made a fuss over this and I believe some took his photo too. After he had finished taking his photos, he came over to me to ask if;

We had seen the sign, YES.

Were we going to paddle, YES.

Was I a member of the BCU, YES.

He was cordial throughout and I offered my name and contact details, (which he took) he then gave me his business card. I offered to discuss the situation, he declined saying that he was already in talks (he didn't specify with who) and left without and further comment.

We did see the man again while passing his river bank, as he and the offer Point to Pointers rode passed, he didn't acknowledge our presence but some of the other riders did.

It may or may not be relevant but his business card had a picture of a Fly fisherman on it.

The local business people we spoke to were very pleased to see us and complained about the loss of business since this situation Started. I person said that all the riparian owners had recently had a meeting to discuss this and the only person not to attend was the one trying to block us from paddling.

If the gent does get in contact with me, I will update further.

On the section that goes through his property there is a tree down across the whole river, it's not a problem in low or med water, you will be able to paddle under, it will be a problem in high water.

[Tony Aiuto]

I suspect that Simon's "fisherman with a European accent" was in fact the Riparian owner who approached us.

[pete thorn]

Our club paddled from Tarr Steps today, along with some other large groups. Water level low but a pleasant day. No challenges or photographing. As far as we are concerned, we were quietly enjoying the National Park, in the way we have for at least 20 years, and will continue to do so. In the closed season, riparian owners would find it almost impossible to demonstrate that they had been any way disadvantaged by our presence.

[WWBrue]

Tony,

I’m glad you had a nice paddle (if rather eventful). You seem to have had a very similar experience to us!

There is/was a race organised in the near future on the Barle. I wonder if that is going to go ahead.

Simon

[hardy]

Does anyone know exactly where the problem tree is?IE is it where the owner in question owns one half of the river bank or where he owns both sides?I may be taking a group there this weekend,and I am wondering if portaging is possible,should it become necessary.

Thanks

Hardy

[WWBrue]

Did a tree come down in the last month? I don't remember anything being problematic when we paddled at the beginning of October.

Simon

[Tony Aiuto]

The tree isn't a problem at the moment, nor will it be unless there is an exceptional amount of rain. It spans the river from bank to bank, and from last weekends levels at it's lowest point, was five feet above the water line. It will eventually slip into the river, if not sorted, so I just wanted to give people a heads up on it. Sorry I can't be more precise on it's location, but it is close to, if not on, Herr Dr's property.

[hardy]

I am absolutely against these people who try to keep our countryside from us.My friend and I decided to take 2 groups of beginners from Tarr Steps yesterday (Sat' Nov' 6th).We did not fancy the idea of introducing them to an ongoing argument over access,rather we thought they should concentrate on what they were about to take on.The trip was going ahead,no one was going to put us off the idea.Personally I would relish the chance to vent my anger at these people,but I know it would do more harm to the wider boating community,so with that in mind we made our plan.We changed at Dulverton,gave a briefing there and picked a couple of people who were likely to be more diplomatic than I,should we be challenged.On the route to the top we saw many people making ready to shoot the poor old dopey pheasants.

When we got to Tarr steps all we saw were walkers,all very pleasant,and had no hassle what-so-ever.(To be honest I was gutted,but it was for the best.)Maybe they were all out shooting.

At three waters we scouted middle and right,and saw no problems,taking the groups straight through.A very good trip for an introduction.

However,Dulverton car park was empty of paddlers for some reason.Ours was the only groups,we saw no one else boating there.I hope this guy hasn't put people off?Or maybe everyone else was doing something more exiting?

[Tony Aiuto]

I would relish the chance to vent my anger at these people,but I know it would do more harm to the wider boating community,

I'm happy that you had a incident free paddle, and decided against antagonising these people. Once the gentleman understands that we will continue to paddle(environmentally aware) and our paddling will have no detrimental effect on his chosen activities, I hope he will come around to our way of thinking.

However,Dulverton car park was empty of paddlers for some reason.Ours was the only groups,we saw no one else boating there.I hope this guy hasn't put people off?Or maybe everyone else was doing something more exiting?

Unfortunately, his actions have put people off, and the local business' who did benefit from paddlers, are feeling the pinch. We took 36 people (incl none paddlers) to Dulverton but I know some clubs will no longer paddle the Barle because of this chap.

I, and I'm sure the local business', hope the situation is sorted soon.

[twopigs]

Slightly different subject but a colleague and I dropped in at The Anchor Inn at Exebridge Saturday evening to ask about leaving cars in their car park. The landlord (new) was perfectly pleasant and asked us to keep the cars to a minimum and parkagainst the fence furthest from the road. He has put a sign at the entrance to his car park after a recent Sunday when he said that there were 40 paddlers cars parked there - no-one had asked and he said no-one had been in after the paddle to buy a drink. He also said that his lunchtime takings were well down that day and assumes that it was because customers could not park.

We were planning to run Dulverton to Exebridge today but actually did a park 'n' play at Factory Pool. Then dropped down to The Anchor at 3 o'clock for beers.

[TonyM]

I was in Hardy's party yesterday.

The landlord of the Anchor Inn at Exebridge is very friendly towards paddlers at present, so we ought to help him by parking considerately - on the far side of the car park, and by patronising his excellent pub - good beer, good fire. We will!

Tony

[twopigs]

Should have added - we were around Factory Pool between 10 and 2 today - saw no other paddlers.

[D1883UK]

Having spoken to a few of the local people, including local businesses,that I know personally. It seems that a particular owner is concerned as to 'What happens is someone drowns on my land' syndrome.(Along with other matters concerning inconsiderate paddlers and happenings in the past)

Exmoor Park Rangers are still in talks and are trying their hardest to get this re-opened again. Sadly,we won’t know the outcome of these talks until early next year.

The BCU are not helping our cause with their ‘Access 365 days’ per year stance, and not being at all flexible. The access to the Barle was only on a ‘local basis’, through the hard work of a certain few persons, of which we are all very grateful for their continued hard work in attempting to re open this stretch.

All this talk regarding 'Criminal Activity' is incorrect, as trespass is a civil matter, however damage to land/property, threats to persons then become a criminal matter. One must be very aware of Section 4, 4A and 5 of the Public Order Act. Link enclosed. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64 Remember a person has only to make a complaint against you regarding the P.O.A. and you can/will be arrested. Sadly this day & age it’s the first person who calls the Police and makes allegations against you, do not seem to be arrested at this point BUT the other party will be arrested rightly or wrongly whilst further investigations are made! Be warned.

I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU NOT to have a ‘Gun Hoe attitude’ and be polite and refrain from ‘Having a go’ in reply to the hassle you maybe experiencing whilst attempting to get on the water.

As this WILL NOT HELP our fight to renegotiate access rights for all again. PLEASE HELP OUT OUR CAUSE

[**mark**]

Anyone got more info on the tree?? Planing on running Tarr Steps to Dulverton tomorrow maybe.

Myself and others did run Dulverton to Exebridge yesterday and stopped in the pub for food and drinks (after asking if it was ok to park there) very friendly and a loverly fire to warm up.

[hardy]

As Tony said above,the tree is not a problem unless there is exceptional rainfall.We would have had to reach up with a paddle to touch it last Saturday,and the level was about a foot from the top of the steps.

Hardy

[**mark**]

Cheers mate, Was just wondering as yesterday was the highest I have paddled the river (the wave before exebridge get out was washed out pretty much)

[Tony Aiuto]

First of all, if you are one of the people trying to sort this out, then thank you.

However, for someone who is highly educated and respected in his field of expertise, the following statement doesn't ring true.

Having spoken to a few of the local people, including local businesses,that I know personally. It seems that a particular owner is concerned as to 'What happens is someone drowns on my land' syndrome.

How can anyone drown on land? I believe the picture on his business card revealed more about his reasons for objecting to our use of "his river" sic, than he would care to admit.

Exmoor Park Rangers are still in talks and are trying their hardest to get this re-opened again.

Good luck to them.

The BCU are not helping our cause with their ‘Access 365 days’ per year stance, and not being at all flexible.

Why should they change a nationally agreed access policy to accommodate one man? It would just return us (paddlers) to the status quo of the previous decades.

I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU NOT to have a ‘Gun Hoe attitude’ and be polite and refrain from ‘Having a go’ in reply to the hassle you maybe experiencing whilst attempting to get on the water.

I agree, the gentleman in question was cordial throughout our meeting. Be polite but firm in your conviction to continue to paddle, while giving thought to any environmental conditions.

[WWBrue]

We paddled from Dulverton to Exebridge on wednesday - quite a high level. We were disappointed to find that the wave near the end had virtually washed out.

The pub is changing hands again very shortly - I think that the friendly landlord/landlady are just minding the place until the new brewery takes over.

Simon

[WWBrue]

Well, it's not really the Rabioux or anything. There is a wave that you can surf towards the end of the stretch between Dulverton and Exbridge - it is really a just a small green wave soon after the point where the Barle and Exe meet. The others have refered to 'factory wave', and there are some factory looking type buildings opposite. I expect that this might be it.

Simon