Sheep used to maintain ancient grazing rights

A flock of sheep has been enjoying one of Bristol's popular open spaces for the day to help keep an historic grazing law alive.

Three ewes and three lambs joined primary school children and residents on Durdham Down so that local groups and householders could exercise their rights to graze their sheep on the land.

According to the Downs Act of 1861, commoners must tether at least one sheep for one day every five years to keep the privileges alive.

Anna Stevens, from Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project, said: "There's always been a bit of mystery about exactly how often it has to be done - however we go with every five years because it's easy to remember."

Nearly 450 acres of open grassland was bought by the Society of Merchant Venturers (SMV) and the city council between 1700 and 1860, according to Robert Bournes from the SMV.

"The Merchant Venturers bought what was called the Manor of Clifton and the city council bought the Manor of Henbury and they're alongside each other here on the Downs," he said.

"In 1861 [they] decided to put their resources together under the Downs Act - to look after the Downs for the benefit of the people of Bristol."

Under the act, 13 groups or individuals who have property bordering the Downs have the right to let loose up to 1,885 sheep on the grassland.

These include the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens, Badminton School, Trinity College, St Monica Trust as well as individual householders.

Historically, hundreds of sheep were grazed on the Downs and up until 1925 a full-time shepherd was employed to look after them.

But as the volume of motor traffic increased it started putting livestock at risk and the flocks were removed.

Shepherdess Melinda Baker, who travelled up to Bristol from Somerset with her small flock of sheep, said it was a "historical right of commoners".

"The sheep look very fitting here," she said.

"Unfortunately in modern-day life, we can't have them here free ranging, but in a pen for today it's just perfect."

In a bid to keep the medieval rights of pasturage alive, the flock of of black Welsh mountain sheep were joined by more than 80 children from local schools.

Seven-year-old Ted, said the school trip to the Downs had been "very cool".

"We've been exploring the place and some people have been feeding the lambs and sheep," he said.

"[The sheep] are very clumsy and we keep stepping in their poo and everyone finds it very disgusting."

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