Posts by Abbie Cavendish
We fight new threat to Brent River Park, Ealing
We have objected to an application from Ealing Council to erect a massive leisure-centre with residential development and other infrastructure in Brent River Park in Ealing. The society is concerned that the development will take a bite out of the Brent River Park, destroying metropolitan open land (MOL) and public open space (POS). It argues…
Read MoreAccess groups free an obstructed byway in North Yorkshire
The society was pleased to support the British Horse Society (BHS), along with the Byways and Bridleways Trust and Ramblers, to secure the removal of two pairs of large, ornamental gates which were obstructing a restricted byway in Stanwick St John, about eight miles north-east of Richmond in North Yorkshire. The BHS issued proceedings in…
Read MoreJohn Lavery, 1953-2024
Our former trustee John Lavery has died aged 70. John became involved in the society after he retired from his post as a lawyer with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). He was one of our trustees from 2013 to 2019, and for a time our parliamentary agent, studying the private bills…
Read MoreAn extract from Open Space Magazine: reflecting on forty years
In the latest edition of Open Space magazine, Kate Ashbrook reflects on 40 years in her post as the general secretary of the Open Spaces Society. Forty years on When I joined the Open Spaces Society as its general secretary 40 years ago, our world was very different, says Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary. We…
Read MoreOur ten-point plan for the new government
We’ve published our ten-point plan for the new government. Says our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook: ‘In these tough times, during a cost-of-living and climate crisis, open spaces and paths for health and well-being, close to people’s homes, have never been more important.’ Public access 1. Early consultation on how to improve access for all The…
Read MoreLand restored as common at Lower Banns, Cornwall
We welcome Cornwall Council’s decision to grant an application to register as common 0.26 hectares of woodland at Lower Banns, Mount Hawke, two miles south of St Agnes in Cornwall. The land comprises two parcels of land. One is situated on the north side of Banns Road and the other immediately opposite on the south…
Read MoreNew government: new access?
‘The new government must plan to provide better access for people, for their recreation and enjoyment, and for their health and well-being.’ This was the message from our general secretary Kate Ashbrook, speaking on 27 April at the 92nd anniversary event to commemorate the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass in 1932. The event, organised by the…
Read MoreUnlawful gates to go
Update – June 2024: We’re pleased to confirm that the gates have now been removed. You can read our latest update here. In October 2022 the British Horse Society served two notices on North Yorkshire Council, under section 130A of the Highways Act 1980, for the removal of two pairs of large, ornamental gates. These…
Read MoreWe reject power grab for electric bikes
We have criticised government plans to double electric bikes’ power ratings. Responding to a consultation by the Department for Transport,[1] we say that the proposals to enable higher-powered electrically-assisted pedal bicycles (EAPCs) on Britain’s highways are inappropriate and potentially harmful to users of the public rights of way network in England and Wales. Says our…
Read MoreForty fighting years
Today (2 April) Kate Ashbrook celebrates the fortieth anniversary of her appointment as our general secretary. She is the longest-serving chief executive officer among bodies dedicated to the amenities and freedom of the countryside. In her time in office—an attic in Henley-on-Thames—she has worked for and welcomed remarkable changes in the safeguarding of commons, greens,…
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