The Lawless Kingdom of Arrogant Golfers

Much of Stinchcombe Hill, near Dursley in Gloucestershire, is registered common land. It was given to the public for recreation but golfers and the golfing mafia now reign supreme.

Public footpaths and bridleways, including the Cotswold Way, disappeared under tees, greens, fairways, a rockery and the golfers' car park, whilst users suffered abuse for many years.

In the worst of several attacks on the public, a mob of 15-20 golfers watched as a walker was repeatedly punched on the head and beaten to the ground, but the golfers lied en masse to the police to ensure that the victim rather than the attacker was prosecuted.

In December 2006, many of the rights of way were officially diverted and some new paths created in a plan initiated by Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club and promoted by Gloucestershire County Council.

Unfortunately, the council let the golf club do most of the subsequent waymarking, so it's not surprising there have been problems. Part of the Cotswold Way is still in the wrong place.