Make the most of rural beauty – but respect the Countryside Code

OVER the past year, many families have bought dogs, and as lockdown starts to ease, it is expected that an increasing number of people will understandably want to access the countryside.

This is of course to be encouraged for all the reasons of health and wellbeing that taking exercise in the countryside can bring.

Those of us wanting to take advantage of the huge number of public rights of way that exist in the countryside must remember to keep to these footpaths and, when walking dogs, the need to keep them under control, particularly in the vicinity of livestock or sensitive wildlife.

It is acknowledged by most farmers, landowners and land managers that the vast majority of people accessing the countryside are very considerate but there is a minority who do not behave, either out of ignorance or simply bad manners.

It is probably difficult to deal with those who are the latter, but for those who are uninformed, people living and working in the countryside must promote the important themes of the Countryside Code which include:

Respect everyone;

Be considerate to those living in, working in and enjoying the countryside;

Leave gates and property as you find them;

Do not block access to gateways or driveways when parking;

Be nice, say hello, share the space; Follow local signs and keep to marked paths unless wider access is available;

Protect the environment; take your litter home – leave no trace of your visit;

Take care with BBQs and do not light fires;

Always keep dogs under control and in sight;

Dog poo – bag it and bin it – any public waste bin will do;

Care for nature – do not cause damage or disturbance;

Enjoy the outdoors;

Check your route and local conditions;

Plan your adventure – know what to expect and what you can do ;

Enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory.

If everyone visiting the countryside can heed these common-sense rules, then everyone is welcome but failure to do so can be costly.

In recent months we have seen a string of horrific incidents where sheep have been killed by dogs across the country and it is not just ones and twos; it is often 10 or 15 sheep killed and in January 50 ewes were killed in an incident in Monmouthshire.

It is not only farmers and their livestock which are under threat; wildlife itself can also be badly affected. For instance, dogs can disturb ground-nesting birds such as skylarks or lapwing and vulnerable habitats can be trampled underfoot or affected by accumulations of dog poo.

So, the message is to go out and enjoy the countryside by all means but respect those that live and work there and follow the Countryside Code.

James Stephen, Carter Jonas