MANAGEMENT OF THE NINE MAIDENS COMMON
BOSKEDNAN, PENZANCE
Approximate area to be enclosed; click image to enlarge
FENCING, GATES, GRIDS AND HERD OF CATTLE
WILL ALL OUR MOORS SOON BE ENCLOSED?
OPEN ACCESS - A SAD JOKE
In 2000 the Countryside and Rights of Way Act provided for a legal right of access on foot to mapped areas of mountain, moor, heath land, down land and registered common land in England and Wales. This includes a large acreage of open moorland in the Land’s End Peninsula.
It is ironic that eight years later the Natural England HEATH (Heathland, Environment, Agriculture, Tourism and Heritage) Project is putting forward a management proposal to improve the quality of the Nine Maidens Common at Boskednan near Newmill by fencing it off and grazing with cattle. Several other parts of the peninsula are already being ‘managed’ in a similar way; most, if not all of this open land is designated as Open Access as can be confirmed by looking at the most recent Ordnance Survey maps. Further ‘improvements’ are planned for heathland at Carn Kenidjack, Lanyon Farm, Trewey and Busvargus.
The area presently under consideration is rich in archaeological remains including the Nine Maidens Stone Circle and several important barrows. It is also, arguably, one of the most frequently used areas of open unspoilt countryside in the Land’s End Peninsula and a favourite with locals and tourists from around the world who ride horses and walk these moors, and who are fascinated by the ancient sites. The Common is also crossed by the Tinners Way path over the high ground and moors between St.Just and St.Ives and is one of the very few such long routes in the area; the Common is also crossed by several tracks connecting parts of the south-west coastal path with the interior countryside.
Apparently the National Trust, Cornwall County Council and Penwith District Council are all partners in this HEATH Project. Is this the first step to enclosing all the wild open spaces of West Penwith? How long will it be before we encounter fences and cattle around Chun Quoit and the Men-an-Tol? Will we soon have to pay to visit local antiquities? Are commercial interests behind it? Are there financial incentives for this sudden activity after so many years of letting the moors look after themselves? Who benefits from these enclosures?
It is a spurious argument to suggest that since these areas of heathland were grazed and managed in past centuries then it is logical to do so in the 21st century. In the past few people used these spaces for recreation; now literally thousands of visitors travel to the Land’s End Peninsula to enjoy walking the coastal path and the – at present – open unobstructed moorland. They will be sadly disappointed if these proposals go ahead. The very reason so many people visit the area will be ruined; visitor numbers will fall; the local economy will suffer.
Dogs will have to be kept on their leads at all times; cattle congregating at the prehistoric sites will cause erosion - even people climbing through the nearby Men-an-Tol holed stone made it necessary for archaeologists to stabilise the monument a few years ago by concreting around the stones; horse riders will have to negotiate numerous gates. Anyone who has walked a public footpath across a field grazed with cattle – especially if you have a dog on a lead – will be well aware of the potential dangers. Cattle and people do not make a harmonious mix. The wonderful magical feeling of freedom while walking the moors will be lost – probably for ever. But there is an opportunity to call a halt to these planned enclosures.
I have lived within a mile of the Common for thirty years, during which time the area has never been grazed (apart from occasional strays), nor has it suffered any significant visual alteration during that time and should, I feel, be left as it is, apart from any necessary mechanical/hand clearance of overgrown paths. There are other areas of moorland that are very infrequently used by the public – if at all – that are far more suitable for management.
Already several areas of open moorland (presumably not subject to the restrictions of a registered common) have been enclosed and cattle introduced - The Nine Maidens Common is one place where it is feasible to call a halt.