Goat patrol to take clifftop role in Bournemouth (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Goat patrol to take clifftop role in Bournemouth
7:00am Thursday 5th February 2009 in
SIX goats will soon be setting up home on Bournemouth’s cliff top in an attempt to restore the natural grassland habitat.
A secure fence is currently being built on the cliff top between Honeycombe Chine and Manor Steps, ready for the arrival of the goats in April.
The goat grazing scheme will be trialled for six months but, if it is a success, it will then be extended to other areas.
It’s hoped the goats will help control invasive scrub and tree species which, if left unchecked, threaten the natural habitat.
Cllr Beverley Dunlop, cabinet member for economy and tourism, said: “Following discussions and site visits with Natural England and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, we decided that the ideal area to trial the grazing project is from Honeycombe Chine to Manor Steps.
“If the scheme is a success, the aim is to introduce grazing management on the majority of the cliff.
“A decision to make this type of grazing permanent will be made in consultation with local residents, beach hut owners and ward councillors.”
The scheme will be funded by Barratt Homes and managed by the council.
The idea of using goats to help clear the cliffs of invasive shrubbery was contained in the town’s seafront strategy, which was approved by the council last year.
Then seafront development officer Andrew Emery said goats were the most sustainable option and could well prove to be the most cost-effective.
“While it may seem like a wild idea, it’s something that has been proven to work elsewhere,” he said.
Comments(26)
silky
says...
9:26am Thu 5 Feb 09
Victor Meldrew lives !
says...
9:27am Thu 5 Feb 09
The scheme will be funded by Barratt Homes and managed by the council.
It is about time Cllr Dunlop was questioned as to how the Council will manage this bearing in mind the excessive cuts being made in Parks & Countryside !
Laurie Marsh
says...
10:03am Thu 5 Feb 09
palexgo
says...
10:18am Thu 5 Feb 09
Why don't they use people on community sentences instead of goats? Anyone else going to join me in opposition to this?
frying leper
says...
10:19am Thu 5 Feb 09
aaaaaaahhhhhh brain splat yodel A A A Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aa.
Xchurch-man
says...
10:30am Thu 5 Feb 09
Years of council cut backs have obviously taken their toll.
As already mentioned, another excuse to "securely fence" another once public area.
The real joke is that the people of Bournemouth pay for these buffoons to mis-manage the civic amenities.
Victor Meldrew lives !
says...
10:44am Thu 5 Feb 09
frying leper
says...
10:53am Thu 5 Feb 09
palexgo wrote:I will join you pale, let the offenders eat the shrubs especialy the Blackthorn - Poison Ivy- and Nettles give em crab apples for their pudding.fryxx
So even more of Bournemouth cliff top is going to be 'securely fenced' and inaccessable to residents & tourists. Bournemouth Council have done this all over Hengistbury Head, Wick and Southbourne and its about time they stopped. Why don't they use people on community sentences instead of goats? Anyone else going to join me in opposition to this?
magicmonkey
says...
11:00am Thu 5 Feb 09
Cazzam
says...
11:04am Thu 5 Feb 09
frying leper
says...
11:28am Thu 5 Feb 09
Victor Meldrew lives !
says...
11:44am Thu 5 Feb 09
magicmonkey wrote:Exactly !
Hmmmmmmn how long before some dogs get through the "secure fence" and attack the goats like happens to livestock grazing near the Stour and other areas?
The welfare of all grazing animals must be a priority and staff & budget cuts do not allow for this !
tru belly
says...
12:38pm Thu 5 Feb 09
beachhut
says...
1:26pm Thu 5 Feb 09
I am sure someone has checked just how high these goats can jump, so how high will the fence be, and will they be staked. What security levels are in place to stop poachers etc.because as sure as eggs are eggs someone will try to either let them lose os steal them. Have you forgot that we are seen as the souths Stag Weekeend venue and that this makes them prime targets?
bea
says...
1:47pm Thu 5 Feb 09
ranger_bob
says...
1:54pm Thu 5 Feb 09
beachhut wrote:Goat on a stake? That's a kebab isn't it? As for the poop, it's not an issue as it will be vegetable matter that breaks down very easily.
Ok so no dogs on the beach area but goats are ok. Who will Poopa Scoop?? I am sure someone has checked just how high these goats can jump, so how high will the fence be, and will they be staked. What security levels are in place to stop poachers etc.because as sure as eggs are eggs someone will try to either let them lose os steal them. Have you forgot that we are seen as the souths Stag Weekeend venue and that this makes them prime targets?
tru belly
says...
2:21pm Thu 5 Feb 09
Silly Billy,, goats have babies, eggs they dont, I should know I got a goat in my small barn.
Maggie69
says...
2:56pm Thu 5 Feb 09
Xchurch-man wrote:If you walk by honeycomb chine you will see that it is the cliff face, not the cliff top that is fenced, as it has been for many years. I don't think you can call the cliff face a civic amenity, unless you're an abseiler perhaps.
I suppose that once upon a time this "invasive scrub" was kept at bay by the parks department. Years of council cut backs have obviously taken their toll. As already mentioned, another excuse to "securely fence" another once public area. The real joke is that the people of Bournemouth pay for these buffoons to mis-manage the civic amenities.
pete woodley
says...
4:42pm Thu 5 Feb 09
John T
says...
5:01pm Thu 5 Feb 09
P.S. 'A goat shepherd is called a goatherd',he says sheepishly.
Victor Meldrew lives !
says...
5:01pm Thu 5 Feb 09
beachhut wrote:Please remember beachhut that dogs do not eat natural materials that goats, ponies and cattle graze on !
Ok so no dogs on the beach area but goats are ok. Who will Poopa Scoop?? I am sure someone has checked just how high these goats can jump, so how high will the fence be, and will they be staked. What security levels are in place to stop poachers etc.because as sure as eggs are eggs someone will try to either let them lose os steal them. Have you forgot that we are seen as the souths Stag Weekeend venue and that this makes them prime targets?
What they eat is recycled where as dogs eat high protein food and are not always wormed either !
grimreaper
says...
6:03pm Thu 5 Feb 09
Why not fence off the Imax and put some in there ?
Another problem solved
OMG the security word is fire-care
dopey
says...
9:47pm Thu 5 Feb 09
Goat milk in the office tea & coffee.
Goat stew on the menu for the Mayor's Banquet.
Goat cheese in the gift shops.
Mayoral robes knitted in goats hair.
any more ideas ?
rook
says...
1:06pm Fri 6 Feb 09
The only solution to stop the goats breeding out of control and quite likely driving people out of the town centre is to also introduce some top predators. For example the frying leper's panther or maybe a small pack of wolves should keep the goats in order.
beachhut
says...
8:51pm Fri 6 Feb 09
Victor Meldrew lives ! wrote:Our dogs are on the baffe diet which means that they eat raw veg and raw chicken, and when they are out they eat as much grass as a goat.
beachhut wrote: Ok so no dogs on the beach area but goats are ok. Who will Poopa Scoop?? I am sure someone has checked just how high these goats can jump, so how high will the fence be, and will they be staked. What security levels are in place to stop poachers etc.because as sure as eggs are eggs someone will try to either let them lose os steal them. Have you forgot that we are seen as the souths Stag Weekeend venue and that this makes them prime targets?Please remember beachhut that dogs do not eat natural materials that goats, ponies and cattle graze on ! What they eat is recycled where as dogs eat high protein food and are not always wormed either !
Victor Meldrew lives !
says...
9:25am Sat 7 Feb 09
beachhut wrote:So your dogs eat as much as a goat ?
Victor Meldrew lives ! wrote:Our dogs are on the baffe diet which means that they eat raw veg and raw chicken, and when they are out they eat as much grass as a goat.beachhut wrote: Ok so no dogs on the beach area but goats are ok. Who will Poopa Scoop?? I am sure someone has checked just how high these goats can jump, so how high will the fence be, and will they be staked. What security levels are in place to stop poachers etc.because as sure as eggs are eggs someone will try to either let them lose os steal them. Have you forgot that we are seen as the souths Stag Weekeend venue and that this makes them prime targets?Please remember beachhut that dogs do not eat natural materials that goats, ponies and cattle graze on ! What they eat is recycled where as dogs eat high protein food and are not always wormed either !
Suggest your vet would not be happy about that !
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ACTING THE GOAT: But he’ll soon be helping to protect the natural habitat on the cliff top
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