“The clerk reported to Chipping Campden Parish Council that he had interviewed Fred Keeley,” the Journal reported 75 years ago, “who was responsible for putting a gate across the Kingcombe Lane end of Hoo Lane, which is, according to the parish, a bridle path or road.

“Mr Keeley said with the approval of other property owners abutting the lane, he had put the gate across so as to prevent cattle, etc, straying down it and damaging his and other people’s property; also to act as a deterrent to gipsies camping there.

“The gate was a swing one and never fastened, therefore it was no obstruction to pedestrians or horsemen using the lane. The property owners had always kept the lane in order and he personally had assisted in this by keeping the bushes trimmed and making the path fit for people to walk on.

“On several occasions motorcycle reliability trials had taken place there and considerable damage had been done to the surface in consequence. The gate had been erected for nearly three years.

“After considerable discussion, the majority of the council did not agree that it as an obstruction and the chairman announced that the council to leave the matter as it was, stating that he did not consider it was the duty of the council to interfere, but to leave it to the people who complained to make a move if they wished to do so.”