RESPECT the fell – that’s the plea from those responsible for managing one of the dale’s most important areas.
Ongoing problems with off-road vehicles ploughing up pasture on Cockfield Fell and an increase in fly tipping were among the issues raised at the annual meeting of the Fell Reeves, the group which looks after the 350 hectares.
Dog owners letting their pets roam among livestock on the fell was also highlighted.
Cockfield Fell is a unique area of common land.
It is England’s largest scheduled ancient monument, with evidence of pre-Roman settlements and industrial use dating back to the 14th century.
In 1869, the fell became a regulated pasture. A survey determined that it could support 1,100 sheep and grazing rights – called stints – were created.
This traditional system remains in place today.
One stint gives the right to graze one sheep. Six stints are required to keep a cow on the fell and ten stints must be held for a horse.
Stint holders pay an annual rent to the Fell Reeves, with the money used for the management of the fell.
While some farmers hold a large number of stints, others go unused and are pooled and distributed to those who wish to put livestock on the fell.
In addition to grazing rights, there are more than 100 sheds on the fell. Traditionally, most are used for housing pigeons and hens while some are just used for storage. Each April, the fell is cleared of all livestock for a month during lambing and to allow the grass to recover.
Cockfield Fell is also popular with visitors and walkers, with well defined paths across the land. Stuart Heddle, chairman of the Fell Reeves, said this mix of uses made managing the land a challenge.
“Historic England won’t allow any soil disturbance – that’s how we are having an issue with off-road vehicles.
“Those who have rights to go onto the fell do so carefully. If a vehicle has to be taken onto the fell to rescue an animal, it is done so carefully.
“Quite a few people are also driving on there with dogs. That can be an issue with sheep on the fell.”
The Fell Reeves are charged with keeping the land in good agricultural condition. This includes keeping noxious weeds under control, carrying out annual soil tests, maintaining the quality of the grass, ensuring fences are in good condition and stopping gorse and bracken from spreading.
“Gorse used to be burnt off, but nobody wants to do that now,” said Mr Heddle.
“If somebody does start a fire, people call the fire brigade straight away. Now we are going to have to cut the gorse and treat it. Historic England suggested a tree surgeon to give us advice. It is difficult to remove without disturbing the soil.”
Mr Heddle was keen to point out that stints give farmers grazing rights – they do not own the land.
“It is the right to graze. We are only the caretakers of it.”
He has 96 stints which he uses to graze sheep. He also lets others use his stints to graze their sheep on fell.
Mr Heddle said the fell was full to capacity as far as livestock was concerned with farmers keen to get their livestock on to the land.
“Generally, the stock does well on Cockfield Fell. It is a good productive fell.”
He said he hoped others going onto the fell would respect how the land is used.
“I think the locals appreciate what is going on with the fell,” he said.
“It is those coming into the area who may not know. Access to the fell is open and I think people see an open piece of land and thinks it’s a right to go on there.
“We are not wanting to stop people going onto the fell, but to respect it and the animals. Don’t take vehicles on there. There are footpaths that are well defined.”
l Margaret Partridge, who has been secretary of the Fell Reeves since 2000, is standing down from the post. Her successor is Joanne Bainbridge, who family has farmed in Cockfield for generations.
