Pupils exercise their right to graze sheep on Downs.

(From Bristol Evening Post)

Byline: Liz Webster e.webster@bepp.co.uk

MORE than 100 school children brushed up on their shepherding skills as they exercised an historic right to graze sheep on the Downs.

The children from Elmlea Junior School and Badminton School, both in Westbury-on-Trym, watched as the livestock nibbled on some of the 122 acres of common land.

The two schools were built at farms and large houses that came with sheep grazing rights, which had been passed on to the schools.

Such rights exist for 19 Durdham Downs Commoners as part of an 1861 Act of Parliament, which also delivers unrestricted access for members of the …