FEATURE: 'The cows on the commons are truly one of the icons of the Five Valleys'

EACH year on May 13 – Marking Day – around 500 cattle take to the commons of Minchinhampton, Rodborough and Selsley and free-roam unrestricted until winter.

Around nine graziers exercise ancient grazing rights to release their herds onto the commons – which have been owned by the National Trust since 1912.

While they are on the commons, the cattle are overseen by Hayward Mark Dawkins, who has held the position since 1996.

He acts as a point of contact, often receiving calls from members of the public who have spotted a cow that they believe may be in a spot of bother, and to relay this message back to its owner.

In instances in which a cow has been severely injured, such as following a collision with a vehicle, Mark may have to ring a dispatcher to bring their gun and make insurance claims on behalf of the graziers.

A record low of one cow has been killed as a result of a collision with a vehicle this year, down from seven last year, six in 2015 and what is believed to be the highest with 12 in 2013.

Measures to reduce fatalities such as reflective paint and collars have been trialled, but not deemed viable.

The area – especially near Tom Long’s Post – has however seen an increase in mobile speed camera deployments, and a fixed camera is now in place close to the Bear of Rodborough hotel, which may be the cause for a reduction on cow deaths via vehicle collisions.

We spoke to the owner of perhaps the most recognised and photographed cattle on the commons, Joyce Jones (pictured below by Simon Pizzey), about life as a grazier.

“We enjoy having cattle, it keeps us busy and active,” said Joyce, who also owns 50 breeding ewes of varying breeds.

“It’s nice when they first come home off the common because they are safe in their own field but by February you look towards May 13 eagerly for fresh grazing, their winter field in Well Hill, Minchinhampton, very quickly becomes a quagmire.

“During the winter months you renew a bond with them.

“Once on the common it feels like they become public property.

“We always fear for their safety, it’s uppermost in our minds, we go out every day to see them.

“At certain times it’s time consuming being a grazier, such as TB testing, the winter feeding takes a lot of our time especially as we both have full time jobs.

“The ups are seeing them roaming the common and knowing how popular they are up there, the downs are if any get killed or injured, and if we need to bring one in it is a massive task for us and can take lots of time and planning and getting people to help.

“We’ve had several killed and injured and even though it’s hard to deal with I love letting them out to roam.”

Joyce and her partner Geoff own 22 cattle in total, which include six true highland cows, two highland crosses, an Aberdeen Angus, Hereford heifer, a Charolais and two generations of highland cross calves.

The female cattle are all named after Joyce’s granddaughters, Whitey, Duny, Daisy, Lola and lulu, the males are not named because they are sent to market when they turn two.

She says there is a great bond between the graziers and with Mark, which is essential while the cows are on the commons.

Above - One of Joyce's 22 cattle. Photo by Simon Pizzey.

Joyce and Geoff started with just two cows and a calf, they still own the first calf born in their care – a highland called porridge.

Before any of the near 500 cattle take to the commons, they are tagged and checked over by Mark.

The transition can often be a slow one, because the cattle are used to smaller enclosures and regular food on tap but must quickly take to walking further distances and grazing every day for five to six months.

Cows often develop foot and leg problems over the course of the summer season, along with an infection called New Forest eye, which must be quickly treated.

Almost all of the cows of the commons have returned to their owners for winter, with the last cattle and their many calves due to return home in the next couple weeks.

The cows on the commons are truly one of the icons of the Five Valleys.

Take a look at the photo gallery at the top of the page for the best 'Cows on the Common' pictures taken by Gloucestershire Camera Club members.