Threat from our cows overstated

THE letter from Ali Cinavas last week amused and amazed me. Just what’s needed during this period of lockdown!

Firstly, let me say that Mrs Cinavas does not speak on behalf of all walkers, in fact I suspect relatively few. As a Mountain Leader and an Instructor on the Duke of Edinburgh Award, I spend a great deal of time walking the footpaths of this beautiful area.

Part of the enjoyment is roaming across fields and remote areas and seeing animals. I do accept that some walkers do feel intimidated when having to cross a field with large cows.

However, I suspect what is meant here is bullocks, who are nosey and likely to follow across a field.

Cows are docile for most of the year. The only time care is needed is when they have youngsters. Bulls in my view appear far too tired to worry about a hiker crossing their field. My worst encounter was with an frisky alpaca who I suspect was missing company during lockdown.

Secondly it must be remembered that a public footpath allows access across private land. The owner has every right to use that land for legitimate purposes, of which grazing animals is one.

The landowner has the responsibility of ensuring unrestricted access to the footpath, and that if crops are grown across it, the path is reinstated as soon as reasonably practical.

In my experience in and around Ashbourne, the farmers are extremely receptive to walkers and I have had many a pleasant conversation when out in the countryside. Even to the extent of being invited to have lunch in a barn during a period of extremely heavy rain, and when having missed a footpath, which left me actually trespassing on private land.

If a footpath is unclear, then there is still a right to walk it, and that requires the skill to use a map and compass to determine the route. A skill that not everyone has these days with the advent of GPS and mobile phones.

I have walked in Dovedale, Ilam and Tissington several times this year, but not the hotspots. There are plenty of options if you arrive early and avoid the busier parking areas.

I sat at the end of Bunster Hill in the height of the summer and watched the car park rapidly filling. I had the hill to myself and only met a few other walkers.

There is so much opportunity for walking in and around Ashbourne, that I have not felt the need to repeat many of the walks done this year. Only those that I really enjoyed. All it takes is a map and a little planning to make the most of our beautiful countryside.

So, in summary, I suggest that we all make a real effort to get on with each other, particularly with the farmers who are having a very difficult time during this pandemic, and respect their right to use their land, which we all benefit from eventually, and enjoy the countryside responsibly, cattle and all!

Ian Cawthra Ashbourne