Latest News

Our new ‘eyes and ears’ for north Dorset

January 11, 2021

We have appointed Keith Yarwood as our local correspondent for north Dorset. Keith will be our eyes and ears, keeping a close watch on paths, commons, greens and open spaces in the former North Dorset District Council area. Keith is also vice-chair of Stourpaine Parish Council.  He is familiar with checking the state of public…

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Our new watchdog for Market Harborough

December 3, 2020

We have appointed Peter Pollak as local correspondent for Market Harborough District in Leicestershire.  Peter will keep a close watch on paths, commons, greens and other open spaces in the area and will intervene when they are threatened. Peter was an Engineer Surveyor for the insurance business.  During that time, he undertook surveys of local…

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The old ways of Melbourne second edition cover

Local correspondent authors new edition of Melbourne path history title

May 19, 2020

Our local correspondent for south Derbysire and north west Leicestershire since 2010, Barry Thomas, has updated his book ‘The old ways of Melbourne – the history of public rights of way in a Derbyshire village’. Barry describes the nature of public rights of way and the history of the path network in the parish of…

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Our local correspondent takes action over fenced off Lewes Racecourse bridleway

November 1, 2016

Chris Smith, our local correspondent for Brighton and Lewes, is taking action to claim the full width of a well-used and important bridleway on the South Downs near Lewes Racecourse buildings. Chris has reported that most of the bridleway past the racecourse buildings has been fenced off since June this year and comments: “The part…

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Village Greens

July 23, 2018

Story-book images of village greens are the essence of rural England and Wales. In reality they are very varied and in need of our protection. Town and village greens are the essence of rural England and Wales. Story-book images of village greens tend to be of an expanse of grass in the centre of a…

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Commons

July 23, 2018

The Open Spaces Society is the guardian of all commons in England and Wales. We’re here for all commons and for the people like you who want to enjoy them. Saving our commons The Open Spaces Society is the guardian of all common land in England and Wales. Many areas of common land have names…

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AGM 2023

May 18, 2023

Our 2023 AGM We were pleased to hold our 2023 annual general meeting as a hybrid event for the second time, with members attending by video conference or in person at Friends House in Euston on 6 July. Phil Wadey, our chairman, chaired the event which was attended by 41 members of the society and…

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‘Pathfinder Pat’ dies aged 97, still fighting for rights of way in Kent

April 10, 2014

We are sad to report that Pat Wilson, our vice-president and local correspondent, who fought for paths and open spaces throughout Kent and Medway for more than 50 years, has died aged 97 at her home in Kent. Pat was our local correspondent for Medway for 20 years. Before that she served as Ramblers’ footpath…

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Our new activist for Wealden District, East Sussex

March 12, 2014

We have appointed Mr Brendan Clegg as our local correspondent for Wealden District in East Sussex. Brendan will be the society’s eyes and ears, keeping a close watch on paths, commons, greens and open spaces in the district and intervening as necessary. Says Brendan: ‘I am very pleased to be appointed as local correspondent for…

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A generous bequest from Leslie Menzler

February 26, 2016

Our former local correspondent for Warwickshire, Leslie Menzler,  died in 2014 aged 93 with no surviving family.  He has left us a generous legacy. John Hall, our Coventry local correspondent writes of Leslie: Little is known about his early life but old family photos show Les living in Surrey with siblings and servants.  His father,…

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