Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2007 | Page 65

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING

life

the countryside with street
that has a high conservation
lighting, metalled footpaths and
value, the National Trust has
cycleways and inappropriate
invested in their own livestock.
'interpretation boards'?
There is a ‘flying flock’ of
"Land-ownership is a
Hebredian sheep, which are
privilege, often accompanied
moved around the island and
by a struggling cash-strapped
feral goats at Ventnor Down
lifestyle, but most people
where a £40,000 investment
try to leave the land in
of new fencing has just been
better condition for the next
completed to fence off 100
generation. This includes
acres of downland, doubling
attracting wildlife to the land as
the area currently grazed.
most farmers appreciate the
The National Trust has the
benefits of a healthy and varied
luxury of owning its own land,
biodiversity on their holding."
and having a long term view
Organisations like Natural
with the ability to plan ahead
England and especially the
and implement projects.
National Trust realise the
Tony said: "It’s easy to look at
importance that livestock play
short term negative prospects,
in maintaining the balance of
but being involved in landscape
nature in the countryside.
history, events change
Tony Tutton, Property Manager
and so do the economic
for the National Trust on the
prospects. History shows us
island explained they are
this. Farming of the land will
generally a conservation
always continue to a greater
charity and that ‘interaction
or lesser degree." And as
is the key to good working
such people will continue to
practices.' He appreciated
be able to enjoy the variety of
the island has a vibrant and
wildlife and landscape features
committed farming community
that the island has to offer.
and has forged partnerships
with graziers to maintain land
ADBW_27
Legge to136x97
and
allow Mfarmers
profit. 22/5/06 2:23 pm Page 1
On particularly difficult land

For a more personal
approach to insurance,
pensions & Investments

Or will it damage the unspoilt
and undisturbed habitats that
currently exist, probably?
The Ramblers Association is
a campaigning organisation
that seems to lack flexibility.
When an application to re-direct
a footpath, be it for safety or
privacy reasons, is submitted,
the Association objects
seemingly on the grounds of
principal rather than practically.
Many footpaths have been
formed by farm workers walking
to work each day; with virtually
no farm worker now using them,
it seems unrealistic to insist
that nothing should change.
Objections on principal
cause increased costs and

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paperwork, which frustrates
many applicants and deters
the local council from following
up sensible changes. There is
often a lack of understanding
of the pressures people have
in the everyday running of the
countryside. Farm land is not
there just for enjoyment, but for
someone to try to make a living.
"The countryside is about
water and mud, and farm
animals that poo all over the
place – it’s rough and slippery
underfoot, thorn bushes scratch
you and nats and mozzies bite
you" said David, but that is part
of the attraction and why it is
different from the town. Why
try to tidy up and urbanise

To find out more call
Matt Legge on 522290
Visit NFU Mutual Office,
Gunville Road,
Carisbrooke
PO30 5FP

NFU Mutual is The National Farmers Union Mutual
Insurance Society Ltd (No. 111982). Registered in England.
Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon,
Warwickshire CV37 7BJ.

It’s an NFU Mutual understanding

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