Concerns raised over access to footpath close to shooting parties

Anxieties have been raised over the access to a field near a meadow which is used for shooting parties.

But the organiser of the event at Kiln Meadow, in Elmswell, has calmed villager’s fears saying people will be safe to walk along a footpath close to the shoot and nobody has been stopped from using the pathway.

Charles Abbott said: “You will be safe from any shooting activities at all times whilst walking on the footpath. My organised game shoots have now finished and the pheasant shooting season closes at the end of January. No one has ever been stopped or obstructed from using this public footpath. If there is shooting taking place, then I think it only sensible to warn walkers and advise them to stay on the footpath.

“I can guarantee no harm will come to them or their dogs. Unfortunately I am continually having to redirect dog walkers back toward the footpath from the private property they feel they are entitled to be on. Much effort is put into maintaining a sustainable habitat for all wildlife in that area but dogs running wild are disturbing ground-dwelling birds and mammals and even destroying nests with eggs in.”

The issue was raised by people using the social media site Nextdoor after villager Graham Gregory posted a message on the website.

He claimed that the landowner had informed him that he does not wish people to continue walking around the perimeters of the fields leading to the meadow.

He added: “It does seem rather odd if not dangerous for any shooting to take place in the vicinity (say same field as) of a public footpath.”

Jo Ann Bliss said: “No walkers should be put in danger when walking on the footpaths. The shoot organisers must ensure public safety at all times.”

Christine Parnell said: “More and more of the dog walking areas are becoming no go areas in Elmswell. Also having a shoot when a public footpath goes through an area seems a very dangerous thing to do.”

And Sue Harris added: “It would be nice to know exactly where the landowner’s land starts and ends. I’ve regularly walked my dog around the fields at the bottom of Spong Lane having regard for the signs.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *