Is the UK countryside a ‘racist white space’?

THE group Wildlife and Countryside Link has produced a report that states the British countryside is a racist, colonial white space (Mail). This body represents 82 wildlife and environmental charities. What an insult to the people of the UK! I often visit the countryside and have never once encountered a sign that read: ‘White British only.’ The countryside is open to anyone. If people choose not to visit, that does not make it a racist space.

ERIC CRAGGS, Shildon, Co Durham.

As someone who was born and raised in inner-city Birmingham but for 18 months has had the privilege to live surrounded by the glorious Dorset countryside, I have re-read the Countryside Code and can find nothing remotely racist in there.

MIKE JEYNES, Winfrith Newburgh, Dorset.

NO ONE is excluded from putting on boots and a waterproof and going for a walk. Just be respectful of the land, the locals and wildlife; shut gates; be quiet; don’t light fires; and take your litter home. Not every issue involves racism, and to suggest that it does infantilises minorities and is divisive.

G. MATTHEWS, Lancaster.

WHAT is stopping ethnic minorities from going into the countryside? Are the cows shouting racist abuse? Are there signs and roadblocks? I have never read such tripe in my life. If they wanted to go into the countryside, they would. Perhaps they don’t.

ROS CHANNING, Pembroke, dyfed.

LIVING in the country can be great but transport is often problematic, which is why so many people live in towns and cities. No one chooses to be born black or white, and most of us want to co-exist in harmony with our neighbours.

J. H. GREY, Biddenden, kent.