Marking Day: cows are back on the commons

Stroud photographer Simon Pizzey captured the moment cows were released onto the commons near Stroud today.

Marking Day, on May 13, marks the date on or after which graziers can release their livestock to roam the ancient grasslands for the summer. The free-roaming cattle are essential to keep the grasslands rich in nature.

Marking Day takes its name from the historic practise of bringing cows from their home farms to a pound at the Old Lodge to be ‘marked’ – so they could be identified later – before they were freed. Though marking now takes place elsewhere, the date is still marked in the minds of all the graziers.

Pictures by Simon Pizzey

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