Latest News

‘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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Our new advocate for paths and green spaces in Ealing

October 19, 2025

We have appointed Kit Cawthorn as our local correspondent for the London Borough of Ealing.  Kit is studying to become a barrister and, upon gaining pupillage, hopes to develop a specialism in land law.  He is keen to defend open spaces and paths, and to develop and apply his growing knowledge to his new role.  …

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Our new watchdog for paths and green spaces in Essex

September 2, 2025

We have appointed Katherine Evans as our local correspondent to watch over the public paths, commons, greens, and other open spaces in Essex. Katherine lives in Braintree District in north-east Essex. She says: ‘I volunteered to be the Open Spaces Society’s local correspondent for Essex because I care about keeping our public rights of way…

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Speak up for commons, open spaces and footpaths in East Sussex

December 8, 2014

The Open Spaces Society is urging everyone who walks, rides or cycles on the commons, open spaces and footpaths of East Sussex to tell East Sussex County Council how important those facilities are to them. The council is conducting a survey of usage of these facilities. You can find it on the consultations page of…

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Our new representative in Spelthorne Borough, Surrey 

February 9, 2024

We have appointed Ashley Redsell as our local correspondent to watch over the commons of Spelthorne Borough in Surrey.  Ashley will keep a close eye on developments in Spelthorne, and where attempts are made to take over common land, he will work with the borough and county councils, and local residents to prevent this destruction. …

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New watchdog in Ceredigion

January 25, 2024

We have appointed Richard Price as our local correspondent for west Ceredigion.  Richard will be the society’s eyes and ears here, keeping a close watch on paths, commons, greens, and open spaces.  He shares the county with Gerald Davies who covers east Ceredigion.  Richard’s background is in financial services, having been an independent financial adviser…

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Halesowen Abbey, the view from the Monarch's Way of St Mary's Abbey ruins and Manor Abbey Farm.© Copyright Gordon Griffiths and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

New champion for paths and open spaces in Dudley 

December 15, 2023

We have appointed Mick Freer as our local correspondent for Dudley Borough.  Mick will be the society’s watchdog here, keeping a close eye on paths, commons, greens, and open spaces, and defending them in the public interest.    Mick has lived all his life on the doorstep of the beautiful Clent Hills, and his interest in…

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We win recorded route in East Sussex 

August 18, 2023

We are celebrating the addition of a 2.3-kilometre restricted byway to the official map of public paths in East Sussex.  The route was claimed, based on historical evidence, by our local correspondent for Lewes, Chris Smith.    The path runs from Robin Post Lane in the north (to the west of the A27 between Hailsham and…

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Our new advocate in the north west

June 19, 2023

We have appointed Ken Sharp as our local correspondent for West Lancashire and parts of Merseyside. Ken will be our watchdog here, keeping a close eye on paths, commons, greens, and open spaces.  He will cover West Lancashire District, Knowsley, Liverpool City, St Helen’s Borough, and Sefton Metropolitan Borough. Following a 38-year career in information…

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