Now that summer is finally here (yes, we have had some sunny days), it must be summer.

Everyone is heading for the countryside or even the beach. Please remember the highway and countryside code.

PLEASE DON’T PARK ON VILLAGE GREENS and churn all the grass up unless there is a sign saying you are allowed to park on the green. Parking on the village green without authorisation is like someone coming into your garden and churning all your nice lawn with a digger. You would not like that, so don’t do it.

DON’T PARK IN FRONT OF FARM AND FIELD GATES, you may be on holiday, but the farmer is not; he still has to work the fields and feed his livestock and always needs access. Yes, we have some idiots who do this. Why?

DO NOT DOUBLE PARK down the narrow country lanes. This is so obvious, but some drivers still do this. Why? A large tractor or even a larger combine harvester, fire engines or ambulances all have to keep working, and some fools double park and may be holding up emergency services. This is more common than you would think. Please don’t do it.

SHUT THAT GATE; if you have to cross farmland on a public footpath, please close the gate behind you; don’t leave it open. If you have to climb over a stone wall, see if you can find an access point which has been built into the wall with access in mind.

KEEP DOGS ON A LEASH WHEN ON FARMLAND; we should not have to keep saying this, but we will. There has been a big spike in dog attacks on livestock. ( A big spike in the Noth Yorkshire area.) Please use common sense when out and about with your dog.

At the end of the day, please, use your common sense. It costs nothing to think before you act, and everyone will have a very enjoyable day in the country.