| RODNEY LEGG |  |
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Reporter and publisher born in Bournemouth in
1947. Joined what was then the Commons Society in 1963, becoming a
committee member in 1973, and treasurer of the re-vamped Open Spaces
Society in 1985. Chairman from 1989. He launched a series of personal campaigns in and around Dorset which achieved access across ten square miles of the Army’s Lulworth Ranges, also to Thomas Hardy’s Max Gate house, and Churchill’s bunker at Studland. Founded Dorset County Magazine in 1968 and still writes for its Dorset Life successor. As a member of the ruling council of the National Trust, since 1990, he provoked what has become a gradual liberalisation of the policy towards opening land beyond its parks and woods. On the other hand he failed in challenges to constitutional changes in its governance. These have seen its reincarnation as what he calls ‘National Trust plc’. |
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In 1974, with the author John Fowles, he opened the Bristol Channel island of Steep Holm to the public as a memorial to their friend and naturalist Kenneth Allsop. For 25 years he organised weekly boat trips. Right to roam – which he was calling for more than a decade ago with speeches urging that ‘Britons are given an access passport’ – inspired him to tramp and claim 640 acres of open country. This square mile made it on to the map for southern England, in 2005, with more to come from claims further west. Historical, archaeological and countryside author, with 80 titles to his name (most available from sales@halsgrove.com or by phoning Dorset Publishing Co on 01963 32583). He has also published 750 country walks. |
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