Should the countryside be an exclusive club for landowners?

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Ok, point taken. The landed gentry don't need us peasants riding over their glorious acres I guess
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That's just silly.

I can't recall the last time anyone considered farmers in this day and age to be "land gentry". We don't own a country estate in the way that you're making it sound. We own a working farm....HUGE difference.

Our incomes are likely to be less than yours, outgoings more and hours of work considerably longer.

We are certainly not sat in the house all day counting our money and considering anyone who doesn't own land to be peasants! How insulting to take that tone.

I live here and I don't have free access to our own land...so why should you? I only have one or two fields I get to ride in and even then only at specific times of the year.
 
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I would be surprised to hear the councils are responsible for public bridleways though. We are responsible for the maintenance of the public footpaths and stiles on our land...not the council. They just come around and inspect them to make sure they are free of brambles etc. If a walker fell over a dodgy stile, it is US not the council that would no doubt be sued if they felt it wasn't properly maintained.

I see no reason why public bridleways would be any different if they happen to cross private land.

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The council is responsible for the surface of most public rights of way (fp's, bridleways & byways) in the same way they are responsible for roads (you can check that with the nfu legal helpline). landowners are responsible for stiles and gates because the public dont need them, they are stock control fixtures.
 
Oh dear..you sound very bitter, resentful and jealous
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You asked a question, claimed to be countrywise, with farmers as friends, then didn't like the replies you received from those of us "lucky" enough to be in this exclusive landowners club
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I'm off now to shout at a few peasants - "GET ORF MY LAND!" before ordering the servant to polish the family silver
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I am sorry if I have offended you. I have no idea why you are offended though. I have never said that you are selfish have I? Do you think you are selfish? Where has it come from?
 
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Why is there so much resentment?

I could say those of you that keep your horses at a swish yard and have access to horse walkers, solariums, XC courses and international sized arenas are part of an exclusive club that I'm not privvy to.

You're making it sound like farmers are a selfish bunch because we don't all allow hundreds of riders to trample across the land constantly and I'm sorry, but that is quite offensive to me.

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probably because the paths we have a right to use were taken from us over 50 years ago. and as for solariums and horse walkers they are tools for the rich, not the casual hacking rider who just wants to ride quietyly and safely. most pleasure riders cannot afford those things
 
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Its also a question of safety. I know where all the drainage dips are, springs, holes, and which livestock I can ride through.

These problems dont arise on public bridleways because the council is responsible for the surface and should maintain it in a safe manner.

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I was actually reffering to the private land, which some people take it upon themselves to tresspass on- which, as Patches says, if any accident occurs, is the landowners fault.

I don't understand this view that because we have access to land we form some kind of elite group- people on here are very quick to put a label on something.
Yes, I am very lucky, I was born into a family with a lot of land. But you know, farming isn't all razzing about around the fields on horses, quadbikes and tractors, and then retiring to granny's house for afternoon tea you know.
I'm not quite so grateful when silage time goes wrong and I spend my summer holiday driving tractors until the small hours, I'm not so grateful when I'm woken to calve cows early morning, when I have to milk because no body else in the world wants to, when the cows get out because someone hasn't shut a gate properly, or bear the bad moods in our family because soya prices have risen by half this season alone.
Yes, its great living on a farm, yes, havung 100s of acres of land is amazing, but don't sit back and think we're all in our little "elite group" giggling at those who can't ride about in the fields, because the majority of the time we cant either.
The land my family has is to turn over a living, not to be run about on by horses, I understand that.
 
No.... you're right the public don't need them. They often prefer to use a knife they are carrying to cut the wire instead.
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Well, maybe you are correct, but I have never seen the council come and clear the public footpaths here. Ever.

All I've ever seen them do is walk the footpaths and tell us areas they believe need attention.
 
Can all the landowners please chill out a little? I didn't mean to offend and upset you. I never realised that you were so sensitive. I was making a joke about peasants Patches. I promise not to tug my forelock if I ever meet you, honest
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I am not sure if you are accusing me of carrying a knife now but that is pretty offensive as I am sure you will realise. I am a law abiding middle aged matron, not a hoodie
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Why is there so much resentment?

I could say those of you that keep your horses at a swish yard and have access to horse walkers, solariums, XC courses and international sized arenas are part of an exclusive club that I'm not privvy to.

You're making it sound like farmers are a selfish bunch because we don't all allow hundreds of riders to trample across the land constantly and I'm sorry, but that is quite offensive to me.

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probably because the paths we have a right to use were taken from us over 50 years ago. and as for solariums and horse walkers they are tools for the rich, not the casual hacking rider who just wants to ride quietyly and safely. most pleasure riders cannot afford those things

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You don't get it, do you? Did you ever look out at the countryside and think "business"? Quiet hacking riders have plenty of places to ride, there are so many millions of bridle ways near us, that don't run right through the middle of someone's fields.
Did you ever think that bridles ways running thrugh fields were shut for a reason?
Last year the council shut one of ours, because it had young cows in it and wasn't safe for people to ride through- because young cows like to chase things. Therefore if you dared to ride through that field this year you would be stupid and your safety at risk.
 
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Someone has said to me that they ride on their own farmland but wouldn't dream of allowing anyone else to do so. Fair enough but they then went on to say that they wouldn't expect to be allowed to ride on anyone else's land. Again fair enough in one way but, in another way, why would they ever need to ride on anyone else's land if they have hundreds of acres of their own? A case of "I'm alright Jack"?

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Well your OP states, as detailed above, that those who do have numerous acres at their disposal have an "I'm alright Jack" attitude towards other horse owners who don't own land...which some would interpret as you implying we're a selfish bunch.
 
In an ideal world we would be able to ride round headlands etc, but sadly we live in this EU controlled country and the farmers seem to get squeezed from all directions. I believe (but don't quote me) that there are restrictions on allowing land to be used for recreation purposes, even unused headlands, so that probably explains the reluctance? I live in a very agricultural area, with loads of packhouses etc. It would be great to be able to ride round fields as the roads are quite hazardous with tractors and huge lorries using even the most tiny country lanes!
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I'm very lucky, my yard is a former dairy farm and the YO mows round the edge of the hay fields so we can ride round there without having to "leave home", or go on the roads. They offer it to outside users as well, for a small fee, but we get surprisingly few people using it.
 
Sorry, should have explained that the same woman also told me to save up and buy a few hundred acres for myself. I didn't put that bit in but I did find that comment a bit much to swallow. Patronising or what? I am not saying that you are patronising by the way so please don't feel the need to be offended by me again.

I am off to ride now but, to put the record straight for (hopefully) the final time - I don't resent yours or anyone else's good fortune all I would say is that you are very lucky. I am not sure how you can dispute that?
 
I wasn't talking to you Patches. Please, please don't get het up with me again. I am not anti farming, landowning etc. I even paid good cash to get into Chatsworth yesterday so I'm not even anti aristocracy
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I think you strunk a nerve Finellaglen.
Farming isn't really the way to go at the moment, so whilst you might think that having 100s of acres is ace, there are a lot of downsides, pitfalls, and some pretty shite legeslation for farmers at the moment- bit of a case of "gold on to what you've got" My family have had the farm for generations, and so don't feel guilty in not letting everyone roam about on it.
People just do not seem to understand that working farms are not a playplace. I would love to bugger about in the fields all day- but I'm not allowed, and scuse the attitude but if I'm not, why should anyone else be?
I'm patient, I wait for the fields to dry up, I'm considerate, I shut the gates, I walk around the edges.
 
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Why is there so much resentment?

I could say those of you that keep your horses at a swish yard and have access to horse walkers, solariums, XC courses and international sized arenas are part of an exclusive club that I'm not privvy to.

You're making it sound like farmers are a selfish bunch because we don't all allow hundreds of riders to trample across the land constantly and I'm sorry, but that is quite offensive to me.

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probably because the paths we have a right to use were taken from us over 50 years ago. and as for solariums and horse walkers they are tools for the rich, not the casual hacking rider who just wants to ride quietyly and safely. most pleasure riders cannot afford those things

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I looked on our deeds and have spoken to my father in law (as this has come up before) there has never been any bridleways across our fields. The only permissive track is the access track that we use to drive the tractors up and down and other landowners use to access their smallholdings. It is still a permissive track.

If you are willing to pay to access farmers land, then I suggest you do a little search and find where the nearest organised farm ride is. There are numerous around by me.

I don't understand why anyone would think they should just be allowed to open our farm gates and go for a ride. It's not set aside, it's not unused. It's land that is being farmed and the grass is used to feed our cows...both in terms of actual grazing and grass crop silage/haylage.

I'm a casual hacking rider who spends most of my time hacking ON THE ROAD or on farm rides which I pay to use. Actually...I'm about to go and fetch my horse in and go on one such farm ride now.
 
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Sorry, should have explained that the same woman also told me to save up and buy a few hundred acres for myself. I didn't put that bit in but I did find that comment a bit much to swallow. Patronising or what?

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Ah that explains a lot
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Landowning lady has a sense of humour
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Thanks for understanding what I am actually saying Rosiie. I really do think you are lucky but I don't resent you or what you have for a second. I sincerely hope that farming is on the up and up from now onwards. Some of my friends have certainly seen an increase in the prices paid for milk lately. Farmers do a great job and I have never doubted their committment to the land that they farm. My parents actually own land I must finally confess but they live too far away from me for it to be of any use to me
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I don't dispute that I am lucky to have my horses at home...same as anyone else who keeps theirs at home.

If you lived my life for a few months, you might actually think I'm not as lucky as you assume I am. 80 hour working weeks, never being able to plan anything, earnings not related to hours worked, stress, constant paperwork and "jump through hoops" farm inspections.....the list is endless.

We do have the land, of course I do feel lucky for that but it's not land viewed for recreational purposes. We have 230 acres of hard graft which we often don't have the time to enjoy simply as the countryside it is.

Also....you're not alone. We couldn't afford to go out and buy a few hundred acres either. Auction a couple of weeks ago left us reeling. 22 acres of grass land went for £186k!
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Well if you're not too far from Chatsworth then I doubt you will be a million miles away from me either, as I'm just over the other side of strines from there!!
 
£7k and acre is going rate I think now for up here- not cheap!
Its wonderful to have such a lot of land yes, but I doubt there are many chances my family get to reflect on it, or to enjoy it. 900acres of hard work, blood and tears most of the time.
 
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Can all the landowners please chill out a little? I didn't mean to offend and upset you. I never realised that you were so sensitive. I was making a joke about peasants Patches. I promise not to tug my forelock if I ever meet you, honest
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I am not sure if you are accusing me of carrying a knife now but that is pretty offensive as I am sure you will realise. I am a law abiding middle aged matron, not a hoodie
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Of course I didn't suggest you carry a knife. Whatever gave you that idea?

I was talking about walkers and stiles. We have walkers here who'd rather use a knife to cut wire and walk through it than use the same knife to cut a bramble that might have sprung over a stile. I also suspect it's people who ride on our land with cycles that cut wire too.....although it's a footpath and not a cycle route.

We are sensitive because in all aspects of life there are members of the public who feel they have a right over our private land somehow....be they people wanting to fish, shoot (yes...people DO turn up and start shooting shotguns at things without permissions, scaring us poopless), horse ride, quad bike, cycle and dog training.
 
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Ok, point taken. The landed gentry don't need us peasants riding over their glorious acres I guess
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can you really not see why that statement offended people? maybe get rid of the chip on your shoulder and move to a yard that has access to decent hacking?

and no, I dont own land but I do rent some
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After a few years of fueds over land rights in our village, I'm afraid to say that any farmer who refuses to let riders on his land has probably been the butt of far too many who think it's their own personal playground.

I'll admit, I used to ride on the headlands and gallop on the stubble even though a bridlepath ran through, because trees fell over the bridlepath and no one cleared them. They were at perfect head height to have killed me if my horse had bolted.

But we've had blood shed in the arguments over land rights, and at the end of the day, one person really can ruin it for all. Most the time the farmers DO make the effort to open paths around their land when they divert paths, but you can't always expect them to be generous.

Just because YOU would be sensible, doesn't mean everyone is. We've had stock on main roads, stock chased by loose dogs, crops trashed and dogs killed.

All because one farmer diverted a footpath.
 
Am I right in thinking that farmers get paid to leave field margins and they must be left intact, only being topped once or twice a year. And if said margin was damaged i.e horse foot prints, walkers or tyre tracks, they don't get paid for it?

My local farmers let me in their stubble fields if the ground is good, but then I wouldn't risk my horses in wet fields anyway and I am allow to ride on the margins by not very often and only when the ground is dry so I don't leave any tracks.
I can ride in my field at home, but at just under an acre big and on a slope I can't do much and don't want to churn up my horses grazing.
 
Yes, lots of setaside and stewardship schemes are aimed at encouraging wildlife and leaving certain bits of fields alone, so although when you walk past you think "what a waste of land- I could ride my horse along that strip" it has abviously been left for setaside, as soil erosion and loss of wildlife happen when drystone replaces hedges, which is why we are encouraged to leave a strip. I must admit, I havn't ridden in the fields for weeks now..
 
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Yes, lots of setaside and stewardship schemes are aimed at encouraging wildlife and leaving certain bits of fields alone, so although when you walk past you think "what a waste of land- I could ride my horse along that strip" .

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and there is funding for bridleways in these schemes in the Higher Level.
 
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