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For this week's Sunday Challenge, the topic for which was Earth Day.

This year it took place on April 22nd and the campaign was all about environmental and climate literacy.

So with that in mind I thought a shot of a solar farm might be an appropriate subject, but the trouble was finding one nearby. I'd seen various articles online about planning applications being submitted for solar farms in my area, but hadn't heard of any actually being built.

One such application was for two potential developments at Ainderby Steeple in North Yorkshire, but I'd not seen any sign of either being built. However, on the way home yesterday my wife thought she spotted one not far from Ainderby Steeple and so the hunt was on.

Sure enough it was indeed a small solar farm, but now the trouble was finding a way to get close enough to it to get some photos. Eventually, I found a small lane that led in the direction of the solar farm from the village, but it stopped a mile or so away from the panels so I had to park up in a nearby field and walk across to the site.

It was all built on flat land and the entire site was surrounded by a wire fence so I had great difficulty in getting the shots I'd hoped for having to shoot both over and through the fence.

Still, I managed to get a few and headed back to the car feeling quite satisfied ... that was at least until I got back to the car as I found the owner and I assume his wife waiting for me.

Turns out he didn't much appreciate my interest in his solar farm and was quick to inform me that I was tresspassing on private land and had gained acess to the site via a private road. I naturally tried to explain that I'd not realised any of that and that I was simply out for a walk to get some photos, but he didn't seem all that impressed or satisfied with any of that, nor with my apology.

I tell you, some days I think to myself maybe I should just not have bothered. The thing is I grew up in the country and none of the farmers near where I lived as a child back in Scotland had any problem with people out walking or crossing their land. As long as you closed the gates behind you, didn't trample across planted fields and kept away from the livestock they were quite happy.

So, the question is have the laws on such matters changed, are the rules in England different to Scotland or did I just get the chap on a bad day?

Be interested to know what others think and more importantly what their understanding of the laws in England are so that I can try to avoid any such confrontations in the future.

I've recently ordered a new more powerful lens for my camera and was thinking that once it arrived I'd be going out more into the countryside to try some wildlife shots, but this experience has left me wondering if that's such a good idea!

Heidiho, , cp_u, diedje and 19 other people have particularly liked this photo


25 comments - The latest ones
 Doug Shepherd
Doug Shepherd club
Very much like this composition, great framing and Pov Paul.

Sorry to hear of your troubles with the landowner. I know the laws in Scotland differ to those applying to England, but not in any great detail. I do think however that the Scottish laws seem to be based on common sense, avoiding livestock, crops etc, rather than the strict 'get of my land' attitude of some, but not all, landowners south of the border.

It seems to me that if more walkers, photographers etc, were around on farmland perhaps there would not be the amount of fly-tipping, theft etc that currently takes place in rural areas. Just a thought.

All the best, Doug
6 years ago.
 Andy Rodker
Andy Rodker club
Hi Paul,
Pleasing shot!
I think Doug has a very good point.
I also think there's no accounting for folk. You get officious and pompous idiots in all walks of like, including farming and photo-sharing site ownership. I also think that most people are not like this and that you were probably just unlucky!
6 years ago.
 Graham Chance
Graham Chance club
Nice work Paul. Excellent abstract.
My understanding is that the rules are very different in Scotland, where access is permitted on farmland provided you don't trample crops. In England you can only access farmland via a Public Right of Way, so, if there isn't a Public Right of Way, you have no right of access. I think vehicle access is the same throughout the U.K. -i. e. not covered by the Right to Roam.
I've just looked this up on the Ramblers Website:-
www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/paths-and-access/england/what-is-the-right-to-roam.aspx
6 years ago.
 Keith Burton
Keith Burton club
I tend to agree with Andy - you were just unlucky or caught them on a bad day.

Anyway, it's a cracking image and well worth the aggro..!!
6 years ago.
 Gary Schotel
Gary Schotel club
People are not that kind anymore these days...
It's all about: "me....me....me....and my rights....."
6 years ago.
 Pam J
Pam J club
Excellent photos Paul...

Graham Chance is correct though... you dont have the right to roam in some places. I will add that if there IS a Public Right of Way... it is contained by (I think) either 1 foot or 2 foot either side of that right of way.

Yes.. there should maybe have been clearer "Private" notices...

No.... he didnt need to be rude to you.

There is also another angle.

Wanton Vandalism. No.. not you.. but there is a section of society who are NOT "green" friendly and he didnt know who you were from Adam.

He had a a couple of very fair points... but he didnt put them across in the best of manners.
6 years ago. Edited 6 years ago.
 Shuttering Yukon
Shuttering Yukon
oh my goodness, that is a lot of solar! love the pov for the first one Doc!
6 years ago.
 Chrissy
Chrissy club
wow, das sieht toll aus!
6 years ago.
 Diederik Santema
Diederik Santema club
Beautiful shot and perspective.

As far as the access: may be you were wrong but on the other hand: did the man introduced himself as the owner or speaking on behalf of? Were there signs of a private road? Is there a public footpath? and if you knew it was private, you could always ask permission. And what's wrong about being investigative?
6 years ago.
 aNNa schramm
aNNa schramm club
Paul I must laugh at your story, so sad it is.
Yes again and again one makes such experiences.
However, I also repeatedly realize how ignorant some people are towards nature. As you say, I grew up also in the country and one knew at what times one could walk or play or not ... In the Kornfeld (probably only on the edge) to play was fun but the anger was great afterwards! But afterwards in the autumn when the grain was mowed we ran barefoot over the stubble field.
Today the children think a cow looks like the Milka cow :-)))
warm greetings aNNa*
6 years ago.
 Gudrun
Gudrun club
First of all- great photos, especially the main one with the diagonal! I suppose you were trespassing but if the road didn't have a sign how could you know? The farmer certainly was unneccesarily rude! Here in Germany drivers often use residents only or farm roads as shortcuts and police don't do anything about it in spite of complaints.
6 years ago.
 christel.k
christel.k club
eine nachdenkliche Geschichte, aber außergewöhnliches Bild zum Thema, Paul, auch die PiPs!
6 years ago.
 Clickity Click
Clickity Click
Oh dear not the best encounter! Not knowing you were trespassing, you did the only thing you could and that was to apologize. Unfortunately, the farmer did not want to accept that apology.

In spite of the situation, you did get some great images of the solar power farm Paul. :)
6 years ago.
 Martine
Martine
Une superbe géométrie.
6 years ago.
 H C
H C
Great shots for the theme. I'm always so surprised by all the no trespassing signs in England while we have a lot more rights to roam in Sweden.
6 years ago.
 Danielle
Danielle
Une Superbe présentation !
6 years ago.
 Indycaver (Norm)
Indycaver (Norm) club
Cool POV and photo Paul! :-)
6 years ago.
 Jan
Jan
Wow! Sounds overly officious!
You are supposed to keep to the track and paths. Some framers are concerned about people snooping and also around me there is a lot of angst about solar panels taking over the land which was formerly beautiful and a place to grow food. So there is heat around solar if you'll excuse the expression. Maybe it was that.
6 years ago.
 autofantasia
autofantasia club
Thanks to everyone for their kind comments and for sharing their views/opinions on the rights and wrongs of the situation I found myself in ... much appreciated! :)
6 years ago.
 Wierd Folkersma
Wierd Folkersma club
great shots Paul, all of them
6 years ago.
autofantasia club has replied to Wierd Folkersma club
Many thanks for the kind comments! :)
6 years ago.
 Shuttering Yukon
Shuttering Yukon
aww, gezee.. I looked at all the pictures an didn't read the post! What a jerk! But I hafta admit I have had my arse tossed out of a few places for the same reason as you! I figure what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger!
6 years ago.
autofantasia club has replied to Shuttering Yukon
Well, yes I guess there is that Wendi, but I'd rather not have the aggro - lol! ;)
6 years ago.
 GrahamH
GrahamH club
Perhaps the people who are early adopters of solar power are those who also want to have less to do with the rest of the world than most. Hence their 'castle' begins at the property boundary and any who cross it are told they are trespassers whether true or not. I've come across this years ago here in Australia when accessing and working at hilltop radio repeater sites.
6 years ago.
 Gillian Everett
Gillian Everett club
Interesting choice and thoughts for Earth Day. The increase in population has certainly brought some new challenges.
6 years ago.

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