There have been two incidents reported in the last week concerning the cattle in the meadows known as the Water Meadows or Low Meadows which stretch from  Water Lane all the way along the south side of the Wickham road.

In one incident a man was taken to hospital and in the other a fit young man with three small dogs on leads was forced to beat a very hasty retreat.

The cows with their young calves have only recently been put out to pasture and will naturally have a very protective attitude towards their young. They are currently in the Low Meadows which is the western section or the Wickham end.

Currenty the "Six mile loop" part of the Thornham Walks runs along these meadows as a "permissive path". However a new route via Wickham Skeith village green, Wickham Church and Birdshedge Grove will very soon replace this section. I am assured that Thornham Walks will be publishing and signposting the new route very soon.

I would strongly advise walkers to avoid using the meadows at the moment.

Nigel Merriam