Who might have thought it, in Totnes, but I have been stalked by a very strange woman?

My many friends, and acquaintances, will know of my small obsession of picking up unsightly litter and trimming back overhanging brambles, etc, when out for a walk.

Last Sunday, as is my wont, I rode and pushed my bicycle up the drive to Dartington Hall, picking up litter from the grassy bank along the way. My best piece was a glass beer bottle from New Lion Brewery; there is a strange pleasure in picking up a really solid piece of litter. I also found a couple of bits of car trim and some sweet packets.

On my gentle way I had passed a lady with a small brown Scotty dog. As I reached the width-restriction point at the top of the road, I became aware that she had been filming me on her mobile ‘phone. No harm in that, I thought, and not illegal – but a bit strange.

I gained the object of my ride, the Hall, where I briefly visited a friend and dropped off my bits of litter before my return trip to Totnes. For a cyclist a swift downhill section with some interesting curves, a reward for the effort of the climb.

But, as I reached the entrance to Higher Close, I was very firmly halted by a gruff gentleman in a small 4x4 motor car. He did not identify himself and had no obvious indication as to his status.

In having had associations with Dartington for more than 60 years – I even taught for a time at Foxhole school – I supposed that he was the security officer on the estate. He told me that he had had a report of a man with a knife and that I fitted the description of the culprit. (“Not a difficult conclusion, Watson”).

I was surprised and explained that I had been picking litter and had a small pair of secateurs in my rucksack. I had also been tending to three oak trees which I had been looking after for a number of years (I had even given them plastic tree guards when the small trunks were being nibbled by deer or rabbits). After that I gave the gentleman my address and went on my way.

Such an extensive parkland estate, largely open to the public, cannot have the staff and resources to continue to clear litter and to maintain all of the trees etc as is needed.

I’m sure that there are many unrecognised informal helpers, with their litter picking and secateurs to cut back obstructing vegetation, who also care as much as I do for the precious landscape.

I am very pleased that the lady with the Scotty dog had planned to enjoy a walk up to Dartington Hall. So I am very sorry that her peaceful afternoon was disturbed by having to track, and to film with her mobile ‘phone, and then to report a crazed knifeman.

I hope that she noticed that there was little litter on the way and that the trees were in good order. She might, also, wish to reflect upon her actions and that it might be wise not to leap to a conclusion that a bearded 70-year-old man, with a small rucksack, a bicycle and some secateurs could be a very dangerous character.

I suppose that I must be thankful that the unidentified security officer was not armed or that the police, and an armed response unit with a helicopter, were not involved. And it has given me yet another little story to remember.

James Bellchambers

Plymouth Road, Totnes