Pledge To Protect And Preserve National Parks In Celebration Of Their Seventieth Anniversary
Seventy years after an Act of Parliament was passed creating national parks in England and Wales, five of the original campaigning organisations came together once again to pledge to protect and preserve the parks for future generations and make access for everyone easier. Campaign for National Parks, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the Open…
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Our Appointment To The National Trust Council
The National Trust has resolved that the society should continue to have an appointee on its council. Beverley Penney served for nine years, and did a great job for us, but now her term has expired. The society has appointed its former chairman, Graham Bathe, in her place. Graham (right), who lives on the edge…
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Call For Speed Limits On Common Land
We have called for enforced speed-limits on unfenced roads across common land in national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty. We made this plea in our evidence to the government’s review of England’s national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), led by Julian Glover. The society emphasises the need to slow traffic…
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Give Open Spaces At Christmas
We have a Christmas gift solution that will be appreciated for a whole year. The perfect present for someone who may enjoy walking, riding or cycling outdoors, be that in their local park or further afield on our amazing commons, village greens or path network. Whitchurch Green, Bristol, registered 2011 Membership gift vouchers for the Open…
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The Perfect Gift For Outdoorsy People
Looking for a last minute present for Christmas that will give lasting enjoyment? Shopping for a gift for the outdoor fan in your life? Do you want to purchase and send the present without hitting the High Street? Southborough Common OSS membership gift vouchers will be valued by anyone who appreciates our amazing landscapes and path network,…
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Pulling The Trigger On Village Greens
Cooper Estates Strategic Land Ltd v Wiltshire Council and Richard Gosnell and Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council. This is the first court case to pronounce on the meaning of ‘trigger events’ (as defined in section 15C of, and schedule 1A to, the Commons Act 2006) and has worrying implications. Such an event, which includes the…
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Countryside Act at 50
On 3 July we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Countryside Act 1968, an important piece of legislation. The Open Spaces Society, with the Ramblers, played a major role in its genesis. Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, explains its history and significance. The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, which led to…
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What tragedy?
This year is the fiftieth anniversary of an influential article which, wrongly, gave commons a bad name. In 1968 Science magazine published a paper called ‘The tragedy of the commons’ by biologist Garrett Hardin. Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, explains. This was about the global population problem, in part inspired by an 1833 pamphlet by…
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Join us to celebrate the Spirit of Kinder
Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, will be one of the expert speakers at a celebration of the Spirit of Kinder to be held at Friends Meeting House, Manchester on Saturday 21 April 2018 from 13.15 to 16.00. In addition to her work with OSS, Kate is chair and a vice-president of the Ramblers, vice-chair of…
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Seventieth Anniversary Of ‘A People’s Charter’
This year we celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Our general secretary Kate Ashbrook, explains what it achieved. This is not just a Bill. It is a people’s charter—a people’s charter for the open air, for the hikers and the ramblers, for everyone who lives to…
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