Leisure

Information board at Cooper’s Hill, Ampthill, 4 March 2020

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/3/11

Cooper’s Hill, Ampthill showing walkway and wooden sculpture, 4 March 2020

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/3/24

Walker and dogs enjoy Cooper’s Hill, 4 March 2020

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/3/6

Louise Hobbs, Jane Moreton and Jane Leslie negotiate a kissing gate on the Greensand Ridge Walk east of Everton and south of Warden Hill, looking north east towards Fernbury Farm. 1 March 2020

Chas Leslie, Z1749/1/7/2

Photographs such as this not only show the countryside being used for leisure but how that was accommodated by: signage, note the signs on the gate post indicating direction and warning of livestock in the field; wider kissing gates to enable easier access for all; styles of outdoor clothing. Permission forms from the three named individuals were submitted with the photographs in order to ensure compliance with Data Protection legislation.

Walkers struggle up a track at Woodbury Sinks where a bridle way climbs uphill to join the Greensand Ridge Walk, 1 March 2020.

Chas Leslie, Z1749/1/7/4

The track has been churned up and is deeply rutted by off-road driving particularly by a recent shoot. It illustrates how increasing leisure use of the countryside, including the Greensand Ridge, can lead to conflict between different types of users.

A walker uses the information board in Ampthill Park to understand the landscape, 3 November 2016

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/1/51

Fisherman at the reservoir in Ampthill Park, 2 April 2016

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/1/60

Illustrating another way that people enjoy the landscape.

Butterfly sculpture, Cooper’s Hill, 4 March 2020

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/3/15

New saplings in Ampthill Park, 8 March 2020

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/1/59

It is difficult to date a tree without cutting down unless of course you have a record of when it was planted.

Management of fallen tree in Ampthill Park, 9 March 2020

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/1/52

The tree was one felled by either storm Ciara or Dennis in February 2020.

Information board with Duke of Bedford Cross in Ampthill Park, 18 March 2020

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/1/20

Interpretation panels and information boards have become a popular way of helping people engage with the landscape. Siting them so that they enhance rather than spoil the view can be a challenge. The Duke of Bedford memorial, one of three war memorials in Ampthill, became a particular focus of remembrance during the commemoration of 100 years since World War One.

Boardwalk in Ampthill Park, 9 April 2020

Martin Nellist, Z1749/5/1/65

Photographs of efforts made to control erosion caused by walkers are evidence of the amount of use areas were expected to get and therefore the wider social use of the countryside and parks.