Over the past few weeks there have been a few improvements undertaken.
A land drain from a broken underground conduit has been installed to help prevent the low-lying gate between the large field and the Cooper Hall field becoming flooded, and extremely difficult for cattle and vehicles to use.
Several volunteers helped to achieve this, to whom "Thanks again for the help."
The drainpipe in situ, yet to be covered 16.3.19
At the junction of the drain and the brook from the springs above, a small area has been temporarily fenced off so cattle do not encroach and "poach" the area more.
Once again the fence next to the gate in the privately-owned field near the stile on the public footpath towards Whatcombe Farm had been vandalised, so Ian M. and I repaired it again yesterday. This gate may well be moved in due course as the gateposts are not secure, and when muddy, vehicle access with a trailer is awkward. The insecure gatepost causes the wire slackness when the gate is open as pictured.
Field users who spoke to us are appalled by this damage. Who does it and why?
The fence is stretched as some people think they have a right to break through because the gate is muddy and they have no appropriate footwear.
"It is the landowner's problem to make access easy." Wrong: it is NOT A PUBLIC FOOTPATH for anyone to use. The barbed wires and pig-fencing is cut with special cutters, so whoever is doing it brings them along with a view to destruction.
The new Sustrans path fencing in Whatcombe Farm's field has also been vandalised three times in the past few days in the same way with wire cutters.
The fields mentioned above here are not part of the SOSWhatcombe Fields property, but are part of the grazing area.
On my way home this morning (28.3.19) I noted this frosted dandelion, which I hope you like too! JY
