FENCES were a major topic of conversation for conservationists back in March 1989.

And one of Bolton’s leading conservationists spoke out in defence of the fence.

It was because fencing had appeared all over the Rivington area in recent years, which had caused outrage among many outdoor enthusiasts enjoying the countryside.

But the leader of Bolton Members’ Group of the RSPB, Tony Johnson, said that despite his own earlier misgivings about the many fences that had sprung up, he had changed his mind and become convinced of the advantages.

The fences, mainly consisting of timber posts and wire, had been erected in many areas of both Rivington and Anglezarke by rangers and conservation volunteers. The aim was to regenerate the local woodland and wildlife cover which had, apparently, been lost to decades of sheep grazing in the area.

We in Bolton are so lucky to have such beautiful countryside so close by.