Fingerpost on the Brigsteer Road, footpath to Scout Scar Walk from Kendal on the Brigsteer Road and you reach a milestone and a stile leading to Kendal Race Course. A fingerpost points the way to Scout Scar and Barrowfield Farm. It's a much-used public footpath.
Straddled across the footpath are some of the 25 bullocks, introduced here earlier this month. The fence posts define an area of the limestone grassland where Natural England hope to promote flora and invertebrates. 'Compartments' that's what the scheme was called.
Straddled across the footpath are some of the 25 bullocks, introduced here earlier this month. The fence posts define an area of the limestone grassland where Natural England hope to promote flora and invertebrates. 'Compartments' that's what the scheme was called.
Cattle have been introduced here in the hope of encouraging flora and invertebrates. Out on Scout Scar the introduction of Welsh Blacks and Galloways has improved the distribution of flowers. But Bradleyfield Allotment and Scout Scar were already remarkable for the flora of limestone grassland. The base-line was very different. Even after the Compartments scheme has run on the Race Course for perhaps four years I've looked in vain for a show of flowers. Lots of thistles the goldfinch love. But I'm not convinced the introduction of cattle will transform the Race Course.
And in making access more difficult, in discouraging walkers, runners and dog walkers I think the balance between conservation and our enjoyment of the countryside has been lost.
The petition is gathering momentum. It's a discussion- not simply signatures. People who love this place are giving their personal response to the presence of bullocks on the Race Course. There are some who will not come here again, will not bring children here, will not come alone. In spending time talking to people who love Scout Scar and who walk this way my understanding of how they value this place, how they use it, is becoming clearer too.
And in making access more difficult, in discouraging walkers, runners and dog walkers I think the balance between conservation and our enjoyment of the countryside has been lost.
The petition is gathering momentum. It's a discussion- not simply signatures. People who love this place are giving their personal response to the presence of bullocks on the Race Course. There are some who will not come here again, will not bring children here, will not come alone. In spending time talking to people who love Scout Scar and who walk this way my understanding of how they value this place, how they use it, is becoming clearer too.
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