I’ve always been ambivalent towards the 'right to roam' movement, which might seem odd for someone who’s idea of extreme fun is walking long distances in the countryside. But, I’ve always felt that we have an extensive rights of way network and that you can get to most places you'd wish to by sticking to the path.
And I might still think that, if our rights of way network was properly maintained. But in some cases it's not. Public footpaths and bridleways should be kept clear and open just the same as roads should be. If we complain about potholes then we should complain about broken styles, missing fingerposts, impenetrable crops and barbed-wire barriers.
I know plenty of wonderful footpaths around Rye and some brilliant landowners and farmers who welcome you onto the land and offer excellent access, sometimes over and beyond their legal requirements, and I love them for that and respect their land all the more for it.
But, I've also spent many an unpleasant hour with my legal right of way blocked, wanting to do the right thing by following the footpath, or if that's blocked tracing a field margin, but finding no way through.
If some landowners and local authorities (both have responsibilities) - and ultimately all of us - can't be bothered to value and keep clear a narrow strip of land to allow walkers their legal right of passage then I think we've lost something vital and precious. Something very British.
Some walkers don't stick to the rules and I totally understand landowners' frustrations, especially on land close to towns, when some people wander where they shouldn't and do things they shouldn't. I'd hate to be tarred with that disrespectful brush.
But, if there's no good reason to deny access to land then why do we?
The fly tippers, poachers and hare-coursers will get on that land by their nefarious means, whatever. They don't adhere to waymarked paths. They don't leave the gates as they find them. But most ramblers do. Ramblers are the least offensive and most polite people I know. They don't just treat the land with respect, they help police the land. I can't tell you the number of times I've alerted a farmer to an issue, helped them steer stray stock back into fields or pulled sheep onto their feet when they're stuck on their backs.
I'm still of the opinion that rights of way ought to be enough, but if we can’t maintain them, then maybe it is time to just open up the land, let us go wherever we need to go to find our way across the countryside. Our countryside.
Our right to walk on legally identified paths and bridleways is fundamental to our understanding of the countryside and agriculture. Without a direct connection to the land how are we ever to understand, appreciate and value it?
I say invite us in, welcome us, work with us to make our rights of way better for everyone, as this land is ours.
