NEVER PICK UP ANYTHING ON MILITARY RANGE WALKS!
Who does not enjoy a nice walk in the country? Here in the South of England there are many places including a number of military range walks.
Areas of Salisbury plain in Wiltshire, the deserted village of Tyneham and extensive areas around the iconic Lulworth Cove both of these are near the Dorset coast.
At the weekends and other holiday periods many of these places are open to walkers and ramblers but be warned that these are used sometimes for live firing and there is always the chance that munitions that have not exploded could be present.
As the video will show the type of excersize that could have been going on during the military working week and then members of the public are unaware of the possible hazards they could come across on a weekend stroll.
Signs are present to warn of such dangers keep to pathways and tracks and do not be tempted to touch any object and certainly do not pick up any item and take it home it could be the last thing you ever do.
Many of the these military range walks do offer some amazing views and surprisingly these areas are alive with rare plants and animals as the areas are never fertilized and plants grow and develop with the minimum of intrusion from man and have done since these areas were taken over by the military around 1916.
Lulworth Cove is flanked on one side by a military range walks.
In Dorset there is the diversity of heathland, bog, grassland, woodland, seashore, cliff, stream and pond habitats. The military ranges play host to many native plants and animal species, including wild cabbage, the dark green fritillary, skylarks, kestrels and even sika deer.
The military acquired Salisbury Plain for training around the same time and as a consequent it too has not been subject to modern intensive farming methods. As a result some 14,000 hectares of chalk downland remains, which supports 13 species of nationally rare plants like orchids.
Some areas are still out of bounds obey signs and notices on all military range walks.
Around 70,000 high explosive shells are fired each year and the Army endeavours to clear the paths before opening any of the range walks. Also at times un-exploded ordnance can be washed up onto beaches.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-access-to-military-areas
There are clear guidelines for military range walks and these are:
- Do keep to paths and tracks that are clearly marked.
- Do not allow children or dogs to stray from paths.
- Do not touch or pick up any objects lying on the ground.
- Please keep away from all buildings however in Tyneham the church and the School House and toilet facilities are safe.
- Do not sit under cliffs or attempt climb them.
- Lighting of fires is strictly prohibited.
- If walking on the coast path right through the ranges, do not enter the Ranges unless you have time to complete the arduous 6-mile walk
- Range wardens are touring constantly obey their instructions.
