Approved By Members ...

For this week's Sunday Challenge, the topic for which was Earth Day.

This year it took place on April 22nd and the campaign was all about environmental and climate literacy.

So with that in mind I thought a shot of a solar farm might be an appropriate subject, but the trouble was finding one nearby. I'd seen various articles online about planning applications being submitted for solar farms in my area, but hadn't heard of any actually being built.

One such application was for two potential developments at Ainderby Steeple in North Yorkshire, but I'd not seen any sign of either being built. However, on the way home yesterday my wife thought she spotted one not far from Ainderby Steeple and so the hunt was on.

Sure enough it was indeed a small solar farm, but now the trouble was finding a way to get close enough to it to get some photos. Eventually, I found a small lane that led in the direction of the solar farm from the village, but it stopped a mile or so away from the panels so I had to park up in a nearby field and walk across to the site.

It was all built on flat land and the entire site was surrounded by a wire fence so I had great difficulty in getting the shots I'd hoped for having to shoot both over and through the fence.

Still, I managed to get a few and headed back to the car feeling quite satisfied ... that was at least until I got back to the car as I found the owner and I assume his wife waiting for me.

Turns out he didn't much appreciate my interest in his solar farm and was quick to inform me that I was tresspassing on private land and had gained acess to the site via a private road. I naturally tried to explain that I'd not realised any of that and that I was simply out for a walk to get some photos, but he didn't seem all that impressed or satisfied with any of that, nor with my apology.

I tell you, some days I think to myself maybe I should just not have bothered. The thing is I grew up in the country and none of the farmers near where I lived as a child back in Scotland had any problem with people out walking or crossing their land. As long as you closed the gates behind you, didn't trample across planted fields and kept away from the livestock they were quite happy.

So, the question is have the laws on such matters changed, are the rules in England different to Scotland or did I just get the chap on a bad day?

Be interested to know what others think and more importantly what their understanding of the laws in England are so that I can try to avoid any such confrontations in the future.

I've recently ordered a new more powerful lens for my camera and was thinking that once it arrived I'd be going out more into the countryside to try some wildlife shots, but this experience has left me wondering if that's such a good idea!