Ignorance is bliss

I am a farmers' wife from Castle-morton and my husband's family has farmed here for generations. Castlemorton Common is unique. It is unique because those exercising their common rights have learned to balance their needs with nature, and those commoners, more than anyone, understand that delicate and precious balance.

It has been increasingly difficult in recent years to maintain that balance because of outside pressures. The increase in the tourist trade has drawn more and more people to the area with varied interests and a well meaning avenue of escape. Ignorance is bliss!

How many of you have seriously contemplated somebody playing in your backyard? There is no difference here. Commoners have a legal right to use the common as a means of livelihood and most treat it well and respect that fact. Dog-walkers, horse riders, kite flyers and golfers use the common as recreation and then go home again. We who live and work the common must then suffer as a result and pay for it.

There is no doubt there has been some abuse by farmers on the common and I myself have regularly complained that it "blackens us all". The very idea put forward tonight of mechanically managing the common instead of using livestock is ridiculous beyond words. Those people at the meeting who seem to think this is the solution have in my mind no right to be involved in the discussion. It only shows their total and utter ignorance to the whole issue.

The chair of the meeting repeatedly asked for alternative methods of managing the common but these requests were continually ignored because no-one has any other valid solutions.

My family and all I stand for have been ridiculed and insulted tonight by ignorant and prejudiced people. My sympathy with those who voice their opinions of what they know little about is wearing very thin.

Jill Jakeman, Taylors Farm, Castlemorton.