England, my England
Sir: Readers of Mr Kenneth Allsop's article (28 February) may find the experiences of one who for many years delighted in the privilege of walking or wandering over private property, where both pheasants and duck were preserved for shooting, of some interest.
Like Mr Allsop, I am not anti-sports, espe- cially if I am not invited to, participate, and can readily enjoy roast pheasant or partridge, re- moving the pellets without a twinge of con- science. And, like Mr Allsop, I am anti-gin traps and the destruction of hawks and owls, though I doubt if my finer feelings would engender enough courage to crusade against this point- less cruelty.
As regards trespassers, I recollect with dis- comfort an occasion many years ago when I ordered a young man off the property. 'Back to the public footpath,' I said firmly and arro- gantly. My embarrassment was the greater since I was accompanied by a boy who had recently joined his public school. Subsequently it trans- pired the trespasser happened to be the head of his house. The memory of this incident is not a happy one.
On the other hand the gipsy lady I pursued relentlessly year after year, stalking her like a deer as she gathered forbidden daffodils, told her story with such conviction that she invari- ably got away with it. Her mother had died, she said, at Easter time, and she felt obliged to heap her grave with the flowers 'that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of March with beauty.' Those left over, and there were plenty, she bunched neatly and proffered for sale in the local town. Indeed, she was so per- suasive one was tempted to buy them back again.
Since those days I have rambled over other people's properties, sometimes alone, sometimes with a companion. I have encountered land- owners, gamekeepers, farmers, farm labourers and shepherds who have been reasonable and pleasant. Perhaps I have been fortunate. Cer- tainly I have never been addressed as Mr Allsop was addressed. Had I been I could hardly have replied 'Will you be good enough not to use that language in my presence,' for it would not only have been dishonestly pompous but would have sounded silly to me as well.
Public footpaths are well marked on maps, but it is true to say they are frequently over- grown and close ploughing is far too prevalent. I believe, in law, it is the responsibility of the landowner to keep rights of way clear.
For those who are interested in wildlife and enjoy the beauties of the natural world, walking or rambling is the ideal.
Televised countryside as Mr Allsop visualises it is abhorrent. It is, however, not beyond the realms of possibility that something of the kind might partially replace the Sunday motor-car outing to 'beauty spots' where, sitting in their cars or beside them in mini deckdsairs, eating a
meal or reading the newspapers, countless people find relaxation and pleasure.
And if they do so where is the harm? For the herd instinct leaves the English countryside freer for the enjoyment of the solitary walker.
Pamela Onslow
12 Callcott Street, W8
Previous page
