The Walk Benger Challenge

A fun challenge for families and walkers to get to know the beautiful surroundings of Sutton

Benger by walking local footpaths and identifying local landmarks. It is hoped children (and

the rest of us) might become more confident using an Ordnance Survey map.

All the walks are less than 2-3 miles. Some may be overgrown – you will need walking

boots/trainers or wellies and probably best to have legs covered to protect from nettles.

(Please report to the Parish Council if you have any particular issues accessing the paths)

The footpaths cross privately owned land, so please stay on marked paths

What you need: -

A local footpath map – Copies from the Post Office or Ruth Gaunt (01249 720 930)

A Walk Benger Challenge pack can be found on the Walks Around Sutton Benger webpage.

Alongside this guidance, the pack comprises

• A copy of the Countryside Code

• A guide to map symbols

• A Walk Benger Activity sheet (You will find important clues in some of the questions)

• 10 photos of local views and landmarks with further clues of where to find them

Your challenge

• See which questions in the Activity sheet you can complete from looking at the map

• With the help of the clues, photos and map, walk the footpaths keeping a close eye

out for the 10 landmarks

• Take a picture of yourself at each of the landmarks

• If you are interested in photography, any interesting or striking images of the

landmarks can be submitted. They might win a prize and appear on the Parish

Council website

• When you have collected pictures of the 10 landmarks – send them to

s.b.parish.walks@gmail.com

Walk Benger prizes

• Children (aged 12 and under) who succeed at the challenge will receive a small prize

• All successful participants will receive a Walk Benger certificate

• A separate prize for the best photo submitted before the 31st July 2020

Happy Walking!!!!

Respect other people Please respect the local community and other people using the outdoors. Remember your actions can affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors

• Respecttheneedsoflocalpeopleandvisitorsalike–forexample,don’tblockgateways,drivewaysorotherpathswithyourvehicle.

• Whenridingabikeordrivingavehicle,slowdownorstopforhorses,walkersandfarmanimalsandgivethemplentyofroom.Bylaw,cyclistsmustgivewaytowalkersandhorse-ridersonbridleways.

• Co-operatewithpeopleatworkinthecountryside.Forexample,keepoutofthewaywhenfarmanimalsarebeinggatheredormovedandfollowdirectionsfromthefarmer.

• Busytrafficonsmallcountryroadscanbeunpleasantanddangeroustolocalpeople,visitorsandwildlife-soslowdownandwherepossible,leaveyourvehicleathome,considersharingliftsandusealternativessuchaspublictransportorcycling.Forpublictransportinformation,phoneTravelineon08712002233orvisitwww.traveline.info.

Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available

• Afarmerwillnormallyclosegatestokeepfarmanimalsin,butmaysometimesleavethemopensotheanimalscanreachfoodandwater.Leavegatesasyoufindthemorfollowinstructionsonsigns.Wheninagroup,makesurethelastpersonknowshowtoleavethegates.

• Followpathsunlesswideraccessisavailable,suchasonopencountryorregisteredcommonland(knownas‘OpenAccessland’).

• Ifyouthinkasignisillegalormisleadingsuchasa‘Private-NoEntry’signonapublicpath,contactthelocalauthority.

• Leavemachineryandfarmanimalsalone–don’tinterferewithanimalsevenifyouthinkthey’reindistress.Trytoalertthefarmerinstead.

• Usegates,stilesorgapsinfieldboundariesifyoucan–climbingoverwalls,hedgesandfencescandamagethemandincreasetheriskoffarmanimalsescaping.

• Ourheritagematterstoallofus–becarefulnottodisturbruinsandhistoricsites.

Protect the natural environmentWe all have a responsibility to protect the countryside now and for future generations, so make sure you don’t harm animals, birds, plants or trees and try to leave no trace of your visit. When out with your dog make sure it is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, horses, wildlife or other people.

Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home

• Protectingthenaturalenvironmentmeanstakingspecialcarenottodamage,destroyorremovefeaturessuchasrocks,plantsandtrees.Theyprovidehomesandfoodforwildlife,andaddtoeverybody’senjoymentofthecountryside.

• Litterandleftoverfooddoesn’tjustspoilthebeautyofthecountryside,itcanbedangeroustowildlifeandfarmanimals–sotakeyourlitterhomewithyou.Droppinglitteranddumpingrubbisharecriminaloffences.

• Firescanbeasdevastatingtowildlifeandhabitatsastheyaretopeopleandproperty–sobecarefulwithnakedflamesandcigarettesatanytimeoftheyear.Sometimes,controlledfiresareusedtomanagevegetation,particularlyonheathsandmoorsbetween1stOctoberand15thApril,butifafireappearstobeunattendedthenreportitbycalling999.

Keep dogs under effective control

• Whenyoutakeyourdogintotheoutdoors,alwaysensureitdoesnotdisturbwildlife,farmanimals,horsesorotherpeoplebykeepingitundereffective control.Thismeansthatyou:

· keepyourdogonalead,or

· keepitinsightatalltimes,beawareofwhatit’sdoingandbeconfidentitwillreturntoyoupromptlyoncommand

· ensureitdoesnotstrayoffthepathorareawhereyouhavearightofaccess

• Specialdogrulesmayapplyinparticularsituations,soalwayslookoutforlocalsigns–forexample:

· Dogsmaybebannedfromcertainareasthatpeopleuse,ortheremayberestrictions,byelawsorcontrolorderslimitingwheretheycango.

· Theaccessrightsthatnormallyapplytoopencountryandregisteredcommonland(knownas‘OpenAccess’land)requiredogstobekeptonashortleadbetween1Marchand31July,tohelpprotectgroundnestingbirds,andallyearroundnearfarmanimals.

· Atthecoast,theremayalsobesomelocalrestrictionstorequiredogstobekeptonashortleadduringthebirdbreedingseason,andtopreventdisturbancetoflocksofrestingandfeedingbirdsduringothertimesofyear. 

• It’salwaysgoodpractice(andalegalrequirementon‘OpenAccess’land)tokeepyourdogonaleadaroundfarmanimalsandhorses,foryourownsafetyandforthewelfareoftheanimals.Afarmermayshootadogwhichisattackingorchasingfarmanimalswithoutbeingliabletocompensatethedog’sowner.

• However,ifcattleorhorseschaseyouandyourdog,itissafertoletyourdogoffthelead–don’triskgettinghurtbytryingtoprotectit.Yourdogwillbemuchsaferifyouletitrunawayfromafarmanimalinthesecircumstancesandsowillyou.

• Everyoneknowshowunpleasantdogmessisanditcancauseinfections,soalwayscleanupafteryourdogandgetridofthemessresponsibly–‘bagitandbinit’.Makesureyourdogiswormedregularlytoprotectit,otheranimalsandpeople.

Enjoy the outdoors Even when going out locally, it’s best to get the latest information about where and when you can go. For example, your rights to go onto some areas of Open Access land and coastal land may be restricted in particular places at particular times. Find out as much as you can about where you are going, plan ahead and follow advice and local signs.

Plan ahead and be prepared

• You’llgetmorefromyourvisitifyourefertoup-to-datemapsorguidebooksandwebsitesbeforeyougo.Visitwww.gov.uk/natural-englandorcontactlocalinformationcentresorlibrariesforalistofoutdoorrecreationgroupsofferingadviceonspecialistactivities.

• You’reresponsibleforyourownsafetyandforothersinyourcare–especiallychildren-sobepreparedfornaturalhazards,changesinweatherandotherevents.Wildanimals,farmanimalsandhorsescanbehaveunpredictablyifyougettooclose,especiallyifthey’rewiththeiryoung-sogivethemplentyofspace.

• CheckweatherforecastsbeforeyouleaveConditionscanchangerapidlyespeciallyonmountainsandalongthecoast,sodon’tbeafraidtoturnback.Whenvisitingthecoastcheckfortidetimesatwww.ukho.gov.uk/easytide,don’triskgettingcutoffbyrisingtidesandtakecareonslipperyrocksandsea-weed.

• Partoftheappealofthecountrysideisthatyoucangetawayfromitall.Youmaynotseeanyoneforhours,andtherearemanyplaceswithoutclearmobilephonesignals,soletsomeoneelseknowwhereyou’regoingandwhenyouexpecttoreturn.

Follow advice and local signs

Englandhasabout190,000km(118,000miles)ofpublicrightsofway,providingmanyopportunitiestoenjoythenaturalenvironment.Gettoknowthesignsandsymbolsusedinthecountrysidetoshowpathsandopencountryside.

Some of the symbols you may see

Footpath–opentowalkersonly,waymarkedwithayellowarrow.

Bridleway–opentowalkers,horse-ridersandcyclists,waymarkedwithabluearrow.

Restricted byway–opentowalkers,cyclists,horse-ridersandhorse-drawnvehicles,way-markedwitha plumcoloured arrow.

Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT)–opentowalkers,cyclists,horse-riders,horse-drawnvehiclesandmotorvehicles,waymarkedwitharedarrow.

National Trail Acorn–identifies15longdistanceroutesinEnglandandWalesandtheEnglandCoastPath.Allareopenforwalkingandsometrailsarealsosuitableforcyclists,horse-ridersandpeoplewithlimitedmobility.ChecktheNationalTrailwebsiteatwww.nationaltrail.co.ukforinformationincludingmaps,tripplanningtoolsandtraildiversions.

Open Access land –865,000hectaresofmountain,moorland,heathland,downlandandregisteredcommonland(mappedundertheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000)isavailabletopeopletowalk,run,explore,climbandwatchwildlife,withouthavingtostayonpaths.SimilarrightsarebeingextendedinstagesoncoastallandinEngland(identifiedundertheMarineandCoastalAccessAct2009).ChecktheOpenAccesswebpagesatwww.openaccess.naturalengland.org.uk/wps/portal/oasys/maps/MapSearch formaps,informationandanycurrentrestrictionsinplace.

A‘negative’accesssymbol–maybeusedtomarktheendofarea-wideaccessalthoughotheraccessrightsmayexist,forexamplepublicrightsofway.

Countryside Code – advice for land managersKnow your rights, responsibilities and liabilitiesPeoplevisitingthecountrysideprovideimportantincomeforthelocaleconomy.Mostliketofollowavisibleroute,preferusingproperaccesspointslikegates,andgenerallywanttodotherightthing-buttheyneedyourhelp.

• TheOrdnanceSurvey’s1:25,000mapsshowpublicrightsofwayandaccessland.Thesemapsarenot‘definitive’.Ifindoubtyoucancheckthelegalstatusofrightsofwaywithyourlocalauthority.YoucanfindoutwhichareasofOpenAccesslandaremappedundertheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000ontheOpenAccesswebpagesatwww.openaccess.naturalengland.org.uk/wps/portal/oasys/maps/MapSearch.

• Forguidanceonyourrights,responsibilitiesandliabilities,contactyourlocalauthorityorNationalParkauthority.TheCountryLandandBusinessAssociation,www.cla.org.uk,02072350511andtheNationalFarmers’Union,www.nfuonline.com,on02476858500canalsoofferadvice. 

• ForspecificqueriesaboutOpenAccessland,checktheOpenAccesspagesonGOV.UKatwww.gov.uk/guidance/open-access-land-management-rights-and-responsibilitiesorcontacttheOpenAccessContactCentre,on03000602091.

Bylaw,youmustkeeprightsofwayclearandnotobstructpeople’sentryontoaccessland-it’sacriminaloffencetodiscouragerightsofpublicaccesswithmisleadingsigns.

• Trespassingisoftenunintentional-foradviceontacklingtrespasscontactyourlocalauthority(www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council).

Make it easy for visitors to act responsiblyMostpeoplewhovisitthecountrysidearekeentoactresponsiblyandproblemsarenormallyduetoalackofunderstanding.Thereareanumberofwaysyoucanhelpthemtorealisetheirresponsibilities:

• Keepingpathsclearandwaymarksandsignsingoodorderanduptodatewillhelppeoplesticktotherightroutesandaccesspoints.ContactyourlocalauthorityorNationalParkAuthoritytofindoutwhathelpisavailable.

• Wherethereispublicaccessthroughaboundaryfeature,suchasafenceorhedge,createagapifyoucan–oruseanaccessiblegateor,ifabsolutelynecessary,astile.Wheninstallingcompletelynewgatesandstiles,makesureyouhavethepermissionofthelocalauthority.

• Encouragepeopletorespectyourwishesbygivingclear,politeguidancewhereit’sneeded.Forexample,tellingvisitorsaboutyourlandmanagementworkhelpsthemtoavoidgettinginyourway.

• Rubbishattractsotherrubbish–bygettingridofitemssuchasfarmwasteproperly,you’lldiscouragetheillegaldumpingofrubbishandencourageotherstogetridoftheirrubbishresponsibly.

Identify possible threats to visitors’ safetyPeoplecometothecountrysidetoenjoythemselves.Theyhavethefirstlineofresponsibilitytokeepthemselvesandtheirchildrensafewhilethere,butyouneedtoensurethatyouractivitiesdonotknowinglyputthematrisk.

• Considerpossibleman-madeandnaturalhazardsonyourlandanddrawany‘hidden’riskstothepublic’sattention.

• Trytoavoidusingelectricfencingorbarbedwirewherepeoplemayaccidentallytouchit,particularlyalongsidenarrowpathsandbridleways.

• Ifelectricfencingisused,ensurewarningsignsarevisible.

• Useandstoreanychemicalsorpoisonoussubstancesresponsiblyonyourland.Theymaykillwildlifeorcauseharmtopeopleorpets.Anypestcontrolyouundertakemustbeplannedwiththisriskinmind.

• Animalslikelytoattackvisitorsshouldnotbeallowedtoroamfreelywherethepublichasaccess–youmaybeliableforanyresultingharm.

• YourdutyofcareundertheOccupiers’LiabilityActsof1957and1984dependsonthetypeofaccessrightpeoplehave–soit’simportanttoknowwhatrights,ifany,applytoyourland.Byvoluntarilydedicatinglandforpermanentpublicaccessyoumaybeabletoreducethisliability.

Natural England is here to secure a healthy natural environment for people to enjoy, where wildlife is protected and England’s traditional landscapes are safeguarded for future generations.

© Natural England 2016

Catalogue Code: NE326

Natural England publications are available as accessible pdfs from: publications.naturalengland.org.uk/

Should an alternative format of this publication be required, please contact our enquiries line for more information:

0300 0603900 or email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

Produced jointly with Natural Resources Wales.

www.gov.uk/natural-england

The Countryside CodeRespect Protect EnjoyRespect other people•Considerthelocalcommunityandoth-erpeopleenjoyingtheoutdoors

•Leavegatesandpropertyasyoufindthemandfollowpathsunlesswideraccessisavailable

Protect the natural environment •Leavenotraceofyourvisitandtakeyourlitterhome

•Keepdogsundereffectivecontrol

Enjoy the outdoors •Planaheadandbeprepared•Followadviceandlocalsigns

Walk Benger – Map symbols

Why not try https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/map-skills for more fun and information

Symbol Who can use?

Footpath

Bridleway

Byway

Please note: While cyclists are permitted to use bridleways, the Countryside Act 1968 states there is no obligation to facilitate cyclists on the routes and they must give way to other users.

Walk Benger Activity Sheet

A What is the name of the parish church in Sutton Benger?

B On the map next to track 27 from Sutton Lane to the Sutton Meadows what does the symbol mean?

C What is the name of the dwelling between footpaths 8 and 9 next to the motorway?

D What is the name of the small wood immediately to the south of the barn on bridleway 20?

E How many arches are there under the bridge which the B4069 crosses at the boundary of Sutton Benger and Christian Malford?

F What animal habitat can be found at the south west corner of Sutton Meadows on footpath 27?

G What animal features on the wind vane on the barn at Lake Farm (please stay on the marked footpaths and permissive footpaths)

H What crop is growing in the field on footpath 8 leading from the Park towards the motorway? (May 2020)

I On the bridleway which leads under the motorway in the grid square 395 179, how many pillars help support the bridge?

J What is the name of the farm to the right of footpath 15 on arriving in Draycot?

Acknowledgements - Ordanance Survey - Microsoft

1 3 4 5

6 10 9 8 7

2

1. A flying pig at the centre of the village 2. M4 under 3. Close to Question E (Activity Sheet) 4. We’re on the southern way to Christian Malford 5. We Trust you will find this National landmark

6. Have a look at Question F (Activity Sheet) 7. Question D holds the clue 8. Towards the most western point of the Parish 9. Have a go at Question C 10. M4 over 11. 12. Meander on the meadow 13.

The Walk Benger Challenge