Country Walking Magazine (UK)

In response to ‘Stile counsel’ More is better

Anthony Byrde’s letter about stiles displays remarkable arrogance and lack of empathy. There are plenty of people more than capable of doing a day’s walk in the countrysid­e, but who have great di culty with stiles. People with dodgy knees and hips, those less agile or getting a bit older and sti€er. Being able to access the countrysid­e and walking in the fresh air is good for our physical and mental well-being. The more accessible we can make the countrysid­e, the better for us all. By gradually replacing stiles with gates, more parts of the path network will be available, or at least easier, for more people to manage.

Cathy Swinbank, by email

A mile in their shoes

The terms ‘lame and chair-bound’ is o€ensive and should not be used to refer to people who are wheelchair users or have mobility issues. My daughter is a young active wheelchair user and you’d be surprised to see some of the places she has been seen! She plans a route beforehand, often using ‘miles without stiles’ routes and decides on the suitabilit­y. We’ve walked/wheeled to lakesides, hills, coastal footpaths and estuaries. Sitting for lunch recently by

Elterwater and looking over to the Langdale Pikes was amazing. No stiles or kissing gates for a few miles but well placed (wooden) gates, thus making a very special walk for us. No one wants to see over urbanisati­on of the countrysid­e and some places will always be by their nature inaccessib­le, regardless of ability. But when a stile needs replacing, why not have a simple self-closing gate instead? I am minded of the quote ‘before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes’. Elizabeth Buckley, by email

For one, for all

Your ‘stubborn resistance to replacing stiles with gates’ on behalf of ‘your’ Civil Parish smacks of elitism. As much as I like traditiona­l country stiles, I recognise their style very much restricts those who (unlike Anthony) can’t ‘swing up and over, barely breaking the rhythm of your stride’. It’s not true stiles ‘require little maintenanc­e’. They’re often in disrepair. Gates might need design improvemen­ts, but at least enable more people to access the ‘wild or rural’ places which Anthony seems to think only belong to people like himself. Rita Williams, Falmouth

Future proof

Like Anthony, I also write from a place of privilege, being able to hop over stiles comfortabl­y. But I live with an underlying health condition and should I ever become unable to clamber over stiles I will be eternally grateful to the accessibil­ity pioneers helping to make the countrysid­e what it should be; a welcoming and inclusive haven for all, not just the privileged swing-up-and-overs.

Rebecca Lees, Pontypridd

Here’s the catch

I regularly walk with a walking group some of whom are in their 70s and can all still do a full day’s hike but might have trouble with too many stiles. I’ve lost count of the stiles that have rotting planks of wood, missing rungs, and wobbly posts. The newer kissing gates generally swing back into place, and some latch as well. So no lost lambs. Maybe one day he’ll be grateful somebody installed a small change to make his life easier. Betting he’ll be ready to complain about it though! Samantha Hambling, Manchester