An 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 More
Our 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 More
Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Society celebrates 50th anniversary
‘The Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Society (RFFS) is a vital eyes and ears on the ground in this part of Hampshire, adjacent to the New Forest.’ So said Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, speaking at the lunch in Ibsley to celebrate the RFFS’s 50th anniversary on Saturday (18 May). ‘The RFFS has been a member of…
Read More
Government goes nowhere on green spaces
We are deeply disappointed at the government’s lacklustre response to the recent Urban Green Spaces inquiry. Last year the House of Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee conducted an inquiry into the ecological, environmental, and human benefits of green space, and the most effective solutions to making cities greener and nature rich. The society…
Read More
Land 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 More
New 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 More
New village green at One Tree Hill
We are celebrating the decision by Surrey County Council to register One Tree Hill at Long Ditton as a village green, thereby protecting it for ever. The land comprises about 10 hectares of mixed woodland, open grassland, and scrub intersected by numerous paths. About seven years ago, Elmbridge Borough Council’s consultants, Ove Arup and Partners,…
Read More
Unlawful 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 More
We 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 More
Forty 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,…
Read More