Paris has made a fair observation: why would you harvest a crop at the start of the heat-season if it is forage?
As per the paths, are these not to allow us to walk across the field rather than wade through the long grass (being aware of raptors, of course)? Watchmen, you seem to be working at odds, wanting the fields cut down on one hand but not the paths on the other. Is it all or nothing with you?!
Fision has the next good observation: Who is obligated to keep the field mown, and isn't it up to them? I thought the Moor was National Trust owned - is this not the case? If its not and privately owned then as long as the public footpaths are open the private landowner can use the land as they wish, within whatever regulations are placed on this type of land, surely? If it is National Trust owned, as I presumed, what is the arrangement with Copas as per the maintenance of the field that is being insinuated? Does the NT not conduct their own maintenance and, more likely, strict eco-system management that a private body could not be trusted to provide?
I think we mostly have a case of the "it always used to happen X way so that must be the right way". Frankly, it does little harm, and this field is hardly responsible for the nation-wide suffering of those with hay fever. I'm afraid the anecdotal evidence of "we don't like the weeds" from passers-by is hardly a motivator for an unnecessary farming operation that comes with costs to someone - I think we can understand that everyone's belts have been tightened somewhat recently.
One would think the real danger in a high-footfall area is ticks and the disease they transmit to canine and human alike. Berkshire does have more than its fair share and to me this is the only reason for concern when a field has tall grass growing.
I'm also intrigued by this barren, bird-free and insect-less wasteland that Watchmen is painting a picture of. I find on my regular ambles through Cookham's beauty that the entire area is awash with wildlife at all times of year, especially the warmer months. Certainly, I was still finding damselflies and dragonflies on a walk last weekend.
Listen zenti (?) - I don't make up stories. I walk that field for an hour every morning and every evening ... how often do you visit it?
You might "amble through Cookham's beauty" ... but have you traipsed around Mash Meadow recently?!
I doubt it - or else you too might have remarked upon the lack of butterflies and insects and birds across the two fields.
An explanation from a nature lover for the barren meadow these past months is the very wet / damp weather ... go figure.
So stop pontificating in an angelic voice and painting me as an ogre - I too love nature, but this does overstep the mark.
I need someone (with some sense, and less of the emotional rhetoric) to explain to me why,
when it's time for Rock The Moor or the Cookham Regatta or the two Macmillan walks across the meadows,
Copas cuts the field to within an inch of its life! Bang - it takes one day and then - flat fields!!
I notice that no one then bemoans the poor insects or birds or butterflies hardships!!
Money talks - and my point quite simply is - not begrudging Copas a few grand, why then are all the vociferous emotionally saturated
nature lovers voices becalmed?? Why don't they speak up for the insects then...?
Do you get my drift, zenti ?!
When it suits the farmer to cut the long grass, he does it willingly for a grand (£) or two...
Ironic, don't you think?!
Or maybe that fits in with your 'beautiful amble through Cookham' !
Pongo - RTM is scheduled for September .... or perhaps when the Marsh Meadow is laid barren !!
