TALES FROM THE HILLS

(Ashmansworth and Crux Easton)

Whenever word came that some cattle had to be moved, it was like a lifeboat crew hearing the “shout.” Everybody dropped what they were doing and went to help, never admitting what a great pleasure it was to assist, or that the camaraderie of a cattle drive was not to be missed.

Jack Greenaway ran his farm at Crux Easton by himself. He raised young beef animals, and his fields were scattered over the two parishes. He needed occasional help moving them from place to place for grazing. The fewer the helpers, and the friskier the young beasts, the greater was the fun; after all, the animals enjoyed the break, with the promise of fresh pasture, and perhaps the chance of a dash to freedom.

It wasn’t exactly John Wayne and the ten thousand Longhorns, but it was lively enough .. and it was even livelier when it meant driving them along the Andover Road. This part was done at a fast trot in deference to the busy world.

Jack would corral the herd for a moment in the lane beside the Three Legged Cross while he arranged his troops to cover the ways of escape. One person would be sent ahead to stop the traffic, ready to turn the herd into Cross Lane. Then away they’d go down the

main road, like Pamplona, closely pursued by us and the traffic.

But in general, stampedes are more Hollywood than England. Here in England “the lowing herd winds slowly o’er the lea” – slowly being the word. Milk cows come home simply at a familiar call.

Farmer Jolliff, one of Jack’s predecessors at Crux Easton, drove his ewes to Weyhill Fair, ten miles away, without a lot of fuss. And everywhere we find the old “drovers’” roads and the old “Drift Lanes” and we even have our own “Ox Drove.”

Animals in those days were always driven on foot to pasture and to market, often over great distances; and on those long drives they must have been quite docile.

But a herd of young cattle are like teenagers – bored and irresponsible. Your arrival in their field is a big event in their day so, if you enjoy being the centre of attention, with an eager four-legged crowd jostling round you, you’ve come to the right place.

 

Agricola, September 2025