Livestock loose in Swindon as trespassers break into SSSI

Locals in Haydon Wick and Priory Vale have been left bemused after spotting the escaped livestock near their homes.

But for the farmer responsible for the animals, Lee Black, it has been no laughing matter as he is having to contend with trespassers damaging his fencing to gain access to his private field, before rounding up the animals. 

The field, Clifford Meadow, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it is home to a rare type of orchid, and is not supposed to be publicly accessible, in order to protect the flower and the field's status.

Priory Vale councillor Vinay Manro has now issued a warning to locals to stay away from Clifford Meadow, because further damage to the fencing around it, and further animal escapes could jeopardise the current balance of maintaining the area's SSSI designation. 

The infamous 'Moulden Three' have caused quite the commotion in the community with their escapades enabled by trespassers breaking farmer Lee Black's fencing (Image: Vinay Manro)

Lee, who grew up nearby, and jumped at the chance to farm and help maintain the important area.

He said: "Over the past weeks, my cows have ventured through fencing and hedges to parts of Oakhurst, and my sheep have managed to get onto the railway line and almost into The Tawny Owl pub.

"This may sound amusing to some, but the continual battle to repair fencing which is being deliberately cut so people can get into the fields, walk their dogs, sit and drink beer and more is becoming a real problem.

"I am calling on the community to support me, and stop breaking into the fields. As the weather improves I will be looking to organise some community open mornings where the community can come and feed my animals and in the future buy eggs, but I cannot do any of this if I have to spend all my time repairing fences and rescuing the cows or sheep."

The escaped animals became a frequent part of the Priory Vale community Facebook group throughout January, with three of the sheep, spotted in housing estates, pub car parks, and near railway lines even being nicknamed the Moulden Three. 

The public, keeping an eye out for the animals, worked quickly to alert Lee and they were retrieved, only to escape again. 

Farmer Lee Black's cows having escaped from their Cliffords Meadow, Haydon Wick, home because of trespassers damaging fencing (Image: Vinay Manro)

Coun Manro, who is also chair of Haydon Wick Parish Council, explained that if Clifford Meadow loses its status it could even be used for property development.

He said: "I have been working with the farmer, a local concerned residents group, and fellow parish councillors to protect this field as it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the Anacamptis Morio a rare protected species of Orchid family Orchidaceae which grows in the meadow.

"This flower was adopted as the logo for Priory Vale by the developers. If it loses that status it will open the land up to potential other uses, so it is very important it is maintained.

"Haydon Wick Parish Council has been working with Natural England to understand their position in supporting the meadow, and to find out where funding has been spent in maintaining the meadow.

Clifford Meadow in Swindon is described as a 'wildlife gem' (Image: Vinay Manro)

"We have called upon the land agent to meet with the tenant farmer, and the Council to find a way forward in supporting the meadow with better maintenance.

"The farmer has been working hard to secure the meadow, and it is being thwarted daily by trespassers. Fences are being cut and damaged, and people gaining access to the fields. This is resulting in cows and sheep escaping from the Meadow.

"I urge the public to consider their actions and not put themselves or the livestock at risk by entering the field."