Second Public Meeting

Tuesday saw the second well attended Public Meeting in ten months hosted by Richmond Council and the National Trust to discuss the electric fence on Petersham Meadows.

Petersham Village Hall

The Council, Petersham Trust and the public strongly opposed the corralling of the Petersham Herd behind an electric fence. The National Trust maintained that it was necessary to protect the public from possible harm from the cows.

Hilary McGrady (Regional Director for the National Trust, London & South East Region) revealed that no risk assessment was conducted prior to the National Trust taking over Petersham Meadows. When a dog attacked the Petersham Herd last year the National Trust conducted its first risk assessment. Although there was no history of the cows causing an injury to a member of the public on Petersham Meadows the National Trust deemed them dangerous and introduced weekend containment of the herd behind an electric fence.

Just a week before the herd returned the National Trust posted signs informing the public that the herd would be permanently behind an electric fence during the 2012 season. Further risk assessment by the National Trust had concluded that the public was at greater risk than had previously been thought.

At the first Public Meeting local people expressed their concerns about dogs running free and called for a total ban on dogs on the Meadows. This is not yet in place and the floor was frustrated by the delay.

Dogs crossing the meadows

In 2011 the National Trust denied that the electric fence was a response to the ‘Compensation Culture’ but in the best interest of the cows. In 2012 fear of litigation is the overriding consideration of the National Trust in installing a permanent barrier between the cows and the public. A longstanding member of the National Trust called for courage to do the right thing and for the Trust not to be led by their legal department. To maintain this policy will result in public loss of confidence with the National Trust.

Cllr. Brain Miller raised concerns on behalf of the farmer that there will be insufficient grazing to last the season. Others were dissatisfied with the signage, diminution of the view from Richmond Hill and public access under the Richmond, Petersham and Ham Open Space Act 1902.

Cows grazing the limited pasture

Towards the end of the meeting Cllr. Sir David Williams called for the fence to be removed, signs to be improved, more people to oversee and strong enforcement under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

Acknowledging that communication had been poor since last year the National Trust announced their new blog for Petersham Meadows. Geri Silverstone (External Affairs Consultant for the National Trust, London and the South East) will be keeping the public up to date. His other NT blog has been live for six months but without any content.

http://petershammeadownt.blogspot.co.uk/

http://ntlseexternalaffairs.blogspot.co.uk/

FURTHER REPORTING

The Sunday Telegraph 3^rd June 2012 
(second highest viewed news story on the day)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/9307370/Anger-as-National-Trust-bows-to-health-and-safety-fears-over-grazing-cattle.html#

 The Richmond & Twickenham Times 3^rd June 2012

http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/9740466.National_Trust_asked_to_moo_ve_from_Petersham_meadow/

 Richmond Council Press Release 30^th May 2012

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/packed_hall_to_discuss_cows

Here Comes the Sun

When the Herd arrived last month Petersham Meadows were lush and green. April had been the wettest on record and the rain continued into May. Last week was wet and cold but the annual Twickenham Regatta heralded a change to summer.

Competitors using the draw dock at the end of River Lane to compete in theTwickenham Regatta

With the National Trust’s electric fence restricting the Herd to the western third of the Meadows the view from Richmond Hill has taken on a new appearance with the main meadow having a two tone look.

View from the Terrace on Richmond Hill

Calves grazing the restricted pasture within the fenced area

Most of the pasture within the fenced area has been grazed. Over the fence many of the grasses are a metre tall and Dandelion and Plantain seeds fill the air.

Spring visitors hidden by the tall grasses

Ribwort Plantain – Plantago lanceolata

Dandelion seeds – Taraxacum officinale

Before the National Trust installed the electric fence the herd would spend hot afternoons under the shade of the Hornbeams near the Buccleuch Garden stile. As there is little shade inside the fenced area the Herd has taken to spending more time in the barn. This small space must be very hot for 18 cows and calves.

Cow and calves having a welcome drink

Cow with her calf

Have Your Say

Have your say at the Public Meeting to discuss the National Trust’s new arrangements for Petersham Meadows.

Are the cows better protected from dog attack?

Should dogs be banned from using the Meadows during the grazing season?

Are the cows and calves a danger to the public?

'Your right to cross the Meadow from the kissing gate in River Lane to Buccleuch Garden'

What are your thoughts on the electric fence and the iconic view from Richmond Hill?

Signs, do they work?

submit your questions prior to the evening via: events@richmond.gov.uk

 

Come and have your say from 7.30 pm at the Petersham Village Hall, Bute Avenue, off Sudbrook Lane

29^th May 2012
London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames Press Release

 

Spring High Tide

The late but very wet spring coupled with a Perigee full moon brought the river to River Lane. Many visitors, as usual, didn’t read the signs and could only watch as the water quickly flooded the lane.

 

A local resident surveys the new landscape

 

The spring high tide forced the Richmond Canoe Club to move their afternoon sessions to River Lane

 

Canoes in River Lane

 

Riverbank footpath closed

River Lane Kissing Gate

Electric Fence Across the Public Right of Way

It has been more than a week and the ‘temporary fence’ on Petersham Meadows is still in place. This fence blocks the Public Right of Way from the kissing gate in River Lane to Buccleuch Gardens. This footpath has been in continuous use for many years and can be found on early maps of Surrey.

1868 Ordinance Survey Map of Surrey

For many people this is the most direct route from Petersham to Richmond and blocking this path is illegal. How long have you been using this path and has its closure impacted on you?

Satellite Image in High Summer with Electric Fence marked in Yellow

Petersham Common Woods

To the east of the Petersham Meadows below the Star & Garter Home is a small broadleaved deciduous wood. In earlier times, when it was grazed, it provided a vantage point for many artists to paint ‘the view from Richmond Hill’. The 1902 Richmond, Petersham and Ham Open Spaces Act transferred both Petersham Meadows and Petersham Common from Earl of Dysarts to the Richmond Corporation. Today it is managed by the Petersham Common Conservators as Open Space for public use.  

Information Board & Map

Trees such as Oak, Ash and Hornbeam support a large number of species below their more open canopies and in the Spring large glades of Ramsons or Wild Garlic form beautiful carpets.  

Ramsons or Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum) in woodland clearing

Ramsons is incorporated into many Old English place names like Ramsbottom in Lancashire or Ramsden in Essex.

Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) on Ramsons leaf

Familiar & New

This maybe their summer residence but the first few days have been rain, rain and even more rain. Probably more hours have been spent in the barn over the last five days than most of last year. As the cows already know the meadows they have settled in quickly but their calves are still a little shy.

Duchess with her calf, look carefully

Duchess’s calf

Most are quizzical as they explore their new home

For others the grass is always greener on the other side

As April draws to a close the sun makes a welcome appearance

Relaxing in the long grass