Farmers, pheasants and dogs

[AlanT]

Here in Hertfordshire, 20 miles from central London, we have a new community forest called Hertwood.

It's 2-3 miles across and ideal dog territory. No roads, no farmers, no livestock.

Created from redundant farmland and some ancient woodland, just for dogs and horses.

Hundres of thousands of new trees were planted.

Big enough that if you wish to meet no-one, then you can.

[Cockertime Blues]

Alan T, that sounds marvellous and there should be more of it.  How did it happen?  Who owned the redundant farmland?  Was it donated?  I feel sorry for anyone who can't just go where they want (without causing any damage and leaving the place as you found it obviously.)

An aside, even those of us with the right to roam need to pick up poo in fields even if unused at the time.  May be obvious to most but we normally walk on Forestry Commission land where we do not pick up poo but are obligated to kick it out of a path (and many don't I'm afraid).