The extent of abuse on our countryside has been appalling during lockdown - Jill Thorp

A carrot and a mince pie or two will be left out to see him and his trusty steeds on their way.

And whilst I have a son who still believes, I will make the very most of it! An Advent calendar has been bought, prodded, poked and shook vigorously, by someone desperate for a mini chocolate to just slip out by accident.

A huge list has been written in the hope that at least half of the things on it will be wrapped lovingly and waiting under the Christmas tree for him. For Paul and I, thoughts are still on tupping time and watching the three heifers due to calve at any time.

The two Welsh Mountain foals have yet to be weaned and countless miles of electric fencing to erect. The hill tups will go out on December 27, so that by the time all our Farnley Tyas ewes have lambed, we’ll be ready for round two.

No shopping has been done yet and the Christmas decorations remain in an upstairs cupboard. The nagging to go and buy a tree has begun in earnest, but I am determined that whilst we are in November, we remain festive free.

We were back up Moss Edge at the weekend, gathering the ewes in prior to tupping. Dean Head had been gathered the day before and were in the meadows awaiting the task of burling and injecting to prevent worms and sheep scab. Unfortunately, we were not alone on the second gather.

Several dirt bikes were busy, tearing up and down the gullies, causing yet more damage to the fragile landscape. We were hopeless to do anything on foot and what could be done if we caught them. I know we’re not alone in having to endure this selfish and illegal invasion on our land.

The National Trust is also suffering with regular unwanted visitors on their land that borders ours. The extent of abuse on our wonderful countryside has been appalling during lockdown and seemingly continues despite endless pleas to stop.

Sadly, we discovered that someone with a dog had been up there also, leaving a ewe badly worried. Her injuries were not fatal but nevertheless, another irresponsible act by someone. Despite the unpleasant start to our day, John-William managed to lift everyone’s mood.

It was his first time gathering on Moss Edge, a difficult four-mile traverse across extremely rough and boggy terrain. A good friend of his had come with his young dog to help, so he was determined he would manage. And manage he did. He clambered over the great molinia tussocks and slithered across the saturated peat and streams.

He did, of course, succeed in finding countless ‘holes’ and bogs to fall in. At seven years of age, this is all good fun. Having your boots full of cold, squelching peaty water is a regular occurrence, so he soldiered on, wet, muddy but eternally cheerful.

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