Letter: The Vast Majority Who Used the Blocked Path Were Responsible

Published on: 2 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 2 Mar, 2026

From Lorimer Burn

chairman of the St Catherine’s Village Association

In response to comments made on: Dragon Interview: Village Association Chair Pleads His Case to Keep Path Open

I feel I need to reply to Ros McMillan’s comment on the interview I gave to The Guildford Dragon. It is unfortunate and unhelpful that she focuses on a rare example of poor and ignorant behaviour by a party of walkers on the path. I agree that this is reprehensible.

However, the vast majority of those using this path have been respectful and minimised any unnecessary damage to the crop. But there will always be some.

It is because of this that our hope is that we can agree a fence along the crop side of the path, as is found on many farms and estates. This would completely solve the problem of ignorant people straying off the path.

We believe that funding would be available for this too. We are in communication with the Estate Office and are hopeful for a reasonable, negotiated solution.

I would also like to challenge Dave Middleton where he suggests “the path is wide enough to drive a car along”. That has never been the case on the path that I have walked for nearly 30 years.

I would have been one of those many people who “kept close to the edge and did not trample crops”. Hyperbole is not helpful in this discussion.

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