Centuries-old tradition of Cambridge cow grazing under threat

A TRADITION which dates back hundreds of years of allowing cattle to graze on Cambridge commons is under threat by new council plans.

Cows including Longhorn, Red Poll and Hereford graze on 200 acres of land around the university city.

Local authorities currently offer a

“Pinder” service – help for when cattle get into difficulties. This is common occurrence with cows falling into the River Cam or being chased by dogs.

However, Cambridge City Council has now proposed to end the service outside working hours.

Farmers argue they were not consulted properly about the decision and that the council already receives more than twice the £8,000 cost of the service through contributions from graziers and agricultural payments from the Government.

Angelika von Heimendahl, 59, a vet who has been grazing cattle on Midsummer Common for 15 years, said that graziers could not provide the service. Ms Von Heimendahl said: “You would never be able to leave the house … you would only watch your phone to make sure that your cattle are OK.” She said the cattle had “always contributed to the feel of Cambridge” and people were “amazed to see them”.

The council said the service will remain in operation in working hours.

Stephen Wright, a farmer whose Longhorns have grazed in the city for 30 years, said he would not be putting them out this year. Mr Wright warned that the removal of the out-of-hours service could endanger the lives of his cattle and local residents. “If I have cattle on those commons and there are people with dogs chasing cattle around somebody could be trampled and I don’t want that on my conscience.”

A spokesman for Cambridge City Council said it discussed the Pinder service with graziers. “All of those consulted broadly supported the proposal for animal owners to be responsible for responding to out-of-hours emergencies and where there are concerns about animal welfare.

“Under proposals to be discussed by councillors this week, the council would continue to support graziers during council operational hours.”