Country diary: The red cross on the white horse is gone. For that we are thankful | Derek Niemann

Frome, Somerset: The Westbury horse is a local landmark to us, but also a countryside icon to travellers from across the world, all of whom are welcomeWhen a person unknown daubed a flag of Saint George over the town's new riverside mural last month, it was quickly overwritten with a diagonal cross and the words "Frome says no to fascism. We are all human." The widespread marking of walls, roundabouts and zebra crossings across the country, together with numerous flags strung up on lamp-posts, has had me reflecting anew on a landmark I can just glimpse from my garden - one that rears up before travellers from so many locations.I must walk to the very top of our hill for the full effect. Standing on a field of shaved wheat stubble, my eyes go straight to the hilltop horizon above Bath. Then they are caught by a sunstruck and ethereally sharp figure on the chalk downs out east. A tiny, blazing white horse - tiny at 10 miles, that is - an earth-cut constellation sitting on an upwards slant, as if answering to heaven. Continue reading...