Farm next to Manor Farm Country Park damaged

Linda McCann, 57, and Richard Game, 65, who own Brixedone Farm next to Manor Farm Country Park have said they feel dread when the sun comes out.

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The couple said that their farm in Bursledon, which has been owned by Richard’s family for almost 80 years, now has “almost irreparable erosion damage” after several open fires.

The public gain access to the farm through a footpath on the field next to the River Hamble.

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Richard said: “People no longer treat it as a private field, but more an extension of Manor Farm Country Park. This is where Hampshire County Council have failed at our cost to give a clear message to the public the difference in boundaries. Barbecues leave smoking scorch marks.”

Richard added that damage to trees, including broken branches used for fire wood, and campers have been spotted there.

“The consequences of public actions has led to almost irreparable erosion damage,” he added.

“Signage has been vandalised, barbed wire fences cut regardless of livestock, and people letting trail hounds and lurches free to chase deer and ultimately tear them to pieces.”

Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Countryside and Rural Affairs, Councillor Edward Heron, said: “We’ve seen a notable increase in the number of people spending time out in Hampshire’s countryside. Unfortunately, in addition we have seen an increase in unlawful and very anti-social littering, wild camping, BBQs and campfires.

“It’s important to remember that while our county benefits from more than 3,000 miles of public rights of way, these paths and tracks are across privately owned land, and people must stay on the path and should not trespass into the fields through which the path goes – and certainly not stop to BBQ, light fires or camp without permission.”