I WRITE in reply to the letter from Mr C. Gilmour (Your Letters, June 15) regarding access restrictions in the Holcombe area.

Holcombe Hill is open to the public and has been open since Whitsun week-end. What remains closed is Holcombe Moor, which includes Harcles Hill, White Hill and Bull Hill. Holcombe Moor extends from Holcombe Hill, by the Peel Tower, to Helmshore and Edgworth.

Bury Council cannot open all the rights-of-way on Holcombe Moore as only a small part of the common land falls within the Bury boundary. The rest comes under Lancashire CC and Blackburn, who have not yet decided to open their rights-of-way. The fact that ewes have remained on the common for lambing is, we sincerely hope, a one-off situation due to the area being designated "infected". No movement of animals off the common has been allowed, as more than one flock is involved.

Normally the ewes are taken in to better grazing a couple of weeks before the start of lambing, and are not turned out until about three weeks after lambing, when the lambs are well established with their mothers and are big enough to withstand bad weather and predators, such as foxes.

This year there was severe hardship for ewes and lambs, due to the poorer grazing and the impossibility of assistance during lambing. The first two weeks were very wet and cold and, with no available shelter, many lambs died, as did ewes. Due to the movement restrictions it has been difficult to move dead stock off the common (not pleasant for walkers!)

To conclude, we would like to thank the many residents of the Holcombe area, and also the disappointed visitors who have been unable to take their favourite walks, and yet have been so supportive in this very anxious time.

I can assure readers that for me, personally, it has been no bed of roses. We have half a mile to go to collect our post; we have had no refuse collection since February; no income; and endless extra jobs, such as disinfectant mats, to see to.

Let us all hope that the troubles will end soon, and spare a thought for those farmers who have lost everything, including bed and breakfast enterprises.

JANE H. HILDITCH,

hon. secretary,

Holcombe Moor

Commoners Association.