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From: 162 Autumn 2025
Author: Peter Smith
The annual round up or “drive” was an important activity undertaken by the Sheriff to ensure only cattle permitted to graze are on the meadow. Sometimes unauthorised cattle pasture there and the drive sought to identify those and fine owners.
Before 1980 the drive took the cattle, typically in excess of 150, across the Toll Bridge all the way to Godstow Nunnery. However, although the date of the drive was kept secret, because it was obvious a temporary pound was being built there, those cattle owners using the meadow without authority or a grazing licence, had time to remove them before the drive. From 1980 the current Pound made the drives more efficient and less of a hazard and disruption to road users. It took Secretary of State approval to secure it though, being on sensitive i.e. Common, ground – later to also get SSSI and Scheduled Ancient monument protected status.
Unauthorised grazing is less of an issue these days, with any fines going to the City Council.
The 1942/43 photos show a drive heading towards the Toll Bridge (you can just make out the airmen’s plaque to the 1912 aeroplane crash), and then at the Nunnery. The 1971 photo shows the round up on horseback. In 1963 the Sheriff seemingly arrived by unusual and noisy means!
The details of the October Round Up are still being worked through, as ODS need to liaise with the two graziers on a viable date for them. The meadow is quite wide so it would be very helpful to have as many helpers as possible for this. If you are interested in a traditional walk up, in line across the meadow, from the South end northwards, then please register your interest with our Chair by email (see inside cover), and monitor our website and Facebook page for any update. It is typically an early start to avoid a public presence. Sometimes the drive does not go as planned – cattle can be non-compliant sometimes - in which case the completion of it may involve graziers vehicles and/or dogs. It is nonetheless an interesting event, and it is important Freemen show an interest, otherwise this traditional event may fall away.
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