Giles should think himself very lucky
SADLY Giles Bradshaw seems to have a real issue with the deer on his land, judging by the number of letters he writes to the Express & Echo.
Thankfully no one else has taken up a similar campaign or we would have letters from readers telling us how they were going to fell a tree, fill in their goldfish pond or knock down a hedge.
However, to return to Giles Bradshaw, one of his latest epistles asks for the public's opinion, so I felt a response was appropriate. The truth is, Mr Bradshaw, that the majority of people would feel privileged to share their space with these beautiful, timid creatures, to have the opportunity to view them at close quarters, to learn more about their way of life and watch their babies grow up.
Very few people would want to chase them away.
I don't know what sort of acreage Mr Bradshaw has or whether he works or is retired, but he does seem to have an ideal situation where others could visit to learn more about the deer. I'm sure many schoolchildren would love to go along and see them. The benefits to the children would be enormous.
It will be interesting to see how many people agree or disagree with my views.
Mrs V Jones
Feniton
2 Comments
by Sarah, Surrey
Saturday, July 10 2010, 9:57PM
“"the majority of people would feel privileged to share their space with these beautiful, timid creatures"
Not when they munch their way through their carefully planted wallflowers they won't”
by Giles Bradshaw, Rose Ash
Friday, July 09 2010, 1:02PM
“I wholeheartedly agree with Mrs Jones that I am very lucky to have red deer crossing my land; we are all lucky to have these wonderful creatures around.
Mrs Jones also writes that it would be good if others could visit my land to see the deer. That would give me great pleasure and I rather hope Mrs Jones might care to pay such a visit herself.
She might also take great pleasure from the coppiced woodland which hosts a wide variety of animals and plants. The woods not deer fenced and they have full access to them although I do discourage excessive deer damage by flushing out with dogs.
If Mrs Jones does visit I am sure she will be glad that I refuse to abide by the condition laid down on the Hunting Act for the exemption of flushing out.
This is that the deer are shot. Not just one but as the courts have ruled the whole herd. To me to kill a herd of deer would be a crime against nature. That would be pure evil.
By not having men on my land with guns I not only enhance the welfare of the flushed deer but also the safety of any visitors.
Where practicable landowners and hunts should consider non lethal alternatives to killing wildlife and the shooting condition should be removed from the Hunting Act.”