SIR: I am totally in agreement with Nick Owen about protecting the wildlife and nature of the Itchen and am sure that this is the view of the majority of the villagers (Chronicle, January 7).
However, I cannot see the objection to accessing the small area of Cow Down which as the name suggests is a small watering pool for cattle. This is where for generations children have paddled, picnicked and generally enjoyed the flora and fauna.
As an Itchen Abbas resident who walks this area several times a week, I have not been witness to the bad behaviour and litter mentioned but in an exceptional year in terms of both heat and lockdown frustrations, a few rare incidents should not be reason to alter decades of peaceful enjoyment of the site by local families.
Would it not be community spirited to reserve this small area as a recognised site for responsible use? A concession of this sort would be warmly welcomed by the villagers and go a long way into restoring good feeling.
Maureen Gordon,
Itchen Abbas
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