JULY 2001

The 5th month of Foot & Mouth, another cluster of cases near Crickowell (30 miles away) and our Council have decided to open the footpaths - Crazy. We still carefully disinfect our vehicles and ourselves each day, only people who are invited come onto the farm, then only with strict precautions. We cannot move cattle, even across the road, without a veterinary inspection and a Ministry licence and they let the public wander across our fields - Crazy.

FOOT AND MOUTH - A FARMERS VIEW The government have decided to open this path, a very illogical decision indeed. Our staff, our visitors and ourselves must undergo strict disinfection procedures at all times. We are unable to move stock (even across the road) without veterinary inspection and a Ministry License. We live in constant fear for our animals. Just THINK before you use this path. Some of the Hereford cattle on this farm are direct descendents of a herd formed over 220 years ago. Do YOU want to be responsible for even the smallest chance of them catching Foot and Mouth or worse, if they happen to be infected, giving it to our nieghbours. When this is over, we would welcome you in the countryside, it is a beautiful place. Indeed we walk many miles of footpaths each year, but, for the moment: PLEASE THINK !!! Tony Norman The Leen Pembridge 01544388305

Left - One of our signs, errected alongside the "Open Footpath" signs

The maize we put in is growing well, nearly waist high now and well above the weeds that are there. We have been busy most of the month putting in Broccoli (I call it Calibrese), our first venture into field scale Organic Vegetables, they have gone in well. The only problem we have had is that someone drove all across the field and cut the gas canister off the bird scarer, what a world we live in!!

Did a farm walk for the Herefordshire Nature Trust, some real experts in the group, I think I learnt more than they did! Fortunately for me, a Kingfisher decided to do a flypast on our stop near the Pools, they are well trained round here!