News Articles

Access to the countryside and the Countryside Code

The Parish Council has been looking at how we might gain more access to the lovely countryside in our Parish, in addition to the public footpaths and permissive path up behind Great Easton Church provided by the Johnson family and Nevill Holt estate. Last year, all the landowners were approached to see if they would re-open more of the “permissive” paths that used to be in place when the stewardship scheme was in existence. This scheme paid landowners to provide access along “permissive” paths. We looked to offer payment along the lines of the scheme and yet without exception, all the landowners and managers of the land declined. In every case, they turned us down, citing a growing number of incidents where they have people trespassing, not controlling dogs and in some cases even being offensive and aggressive.

Not wishing to give up, we have decided that this may result from some misunderstanding. The countryside code is no longer quite as prominent as it used to be. To help people understand the code and perhaps get to the point where landowners and farmers no longer have negative experiences, we will be putting up some notices that explain the countryside code.

We also ask that everyone helps in this and plays their part, both in their own behaviour, but also in making sure others do the same. The law allows us access along paths and Bridleways, but not to roam off these. Anyone who leaves the pathway or bridleway or allows their dog to do so, is in fact, trespassing. In addition, the new open country and common land rights require that dogs are kept on a short lead between 1st March and 31st July and all year round when near farm animals. It should also be noted that if anyone enters an un cultivated wild area, with or without a dog, wildlife will be disturbed.

Conscious that people do want their dogs to have a run, we also looked to see if we could rent a field for this purpose. Again, despite the offer of payment, we have been turned down, but we will continue to try to find one. Please do your bit to help.

Speeding Analysis

Following the approval of the Neighbourhood Plan the Parish Council invested in a movable speed sign to be placed at the 3 entrances to the village on poles supplied by Leicestershire County Council.

To assess the most appropriate locations for the sign to have the most impact, data has been collected from each location. It has been found that the highest volume of traffic enters the village along the Caldecott Road with around 10% over the speed limit and a maximum recorded speed of 55mph. The volume of traffic entering the village from Bringhurst along Barnsdale produced the next highest count with around 17% over the speed limit and a maximum speed recorded at 65mph.

As expected, traffic up and down High Street is much lighter and only recorded around 0.5% of drivers over the speed limit (maximum 50mph). Traffic leaving the village along Barnsdale recorded around 7% over the speed limit (maximum 55mph).

It should be noted that the records of highest speeds are outlying data and were recorded during quiet times.

Average daily statistics gathered over a period of one month

Therefore the most effective use of the speed sign as a traffic calming measure is warning the inbound traffic from Bringhurst followed by inbound traffic along Caldecott Road.

Data will continue to be routinely gathered and assessed to look at trends later this year.

Food Bank – Village Donations to Local Corby Foodbank.

Great Easton supports the Trussell Foodbank in Corby.

The preferred method of support is now via cash donations handed in at the Rectory Fram Shop. This is the forwarded at approximately monthly intervals, via BACS direct to the Foodbank.

The Cash donations enable the organisers to buy particular items in bulk, at very advantageous prices, and is now the preferred method for support.

SINCE 2022, THE VILLAGE HAS DONATED OVER £15,000.00.