Local correspondent authors new edition of Melbourne path history title
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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Coronavirus closures
Path campaigners with long memories will recall the widespread and damaging rights-of-way closures during the foot-and-mouth epizootic in 2001–02. Fears that SARS-COV2 would bring similar closures have proved generally to be mistaken — on the contrary, Government encouragement for continuing exercise during lockdown has greatly increased the use of some rights of way, and proved…
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We deplore threat to ancient road in South Downs National Park
We have objected to a planning application for a campsite and buildings at Coldwaltham, West Sussex, in the South Downs National Park. The application was made by Mr Hugh Sandie of Pegs and Pitches Camping. Our particular concern is the threat to the adjoining Colebrook Lane. We have criticised West Sussex County Council for…
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Welsh government allows closure of some paths and access land
The Welsh government has introduced emergency legislation which enabled certain bodies to close identified public paths and access land because they create a risk of spreading coronavirus. The bodies had to close the paths by noon on 25 March 2020. The bodies (known as ‘relevant bodies’) entitled to do this are: county or county borough…
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We help save important cheshire footpath
We are delighted to have helped to save 800 metres of footpath in the lovely Todd valley, between Kettleshulme and Rainow in Cheshire East, from being expunged from the official (definitive) path map. Mrs Marie Cunningham applied on behalf of the landowner to Cheshire East Council to have the path removed from the official map. …
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Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update
We thank you for visiting our website and hope that you remain safe and well. The society team is working as usual during lockdown allbeit remotely. With our physical office running on a skeleton staff, responding to postal enquiries will take a much longer than usual and we would ask you not to telephone if…
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Government plans could make innocent trespassers into criminals
The government’s proposals to strengthen police powers against trespass could make criminals of innocent people visiting the countryside. We have expressed this fear in our response to the Home Office consultation on the criminalisation of trespass in England and Wales. The Conservative manifesto declared ‘We will make intentional trespass a criminal offence.’ Before this, the…
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Is your DMMO application eligible for a BHS grant?
Are you engaged in researching historical ways to add to the definitive map before the 2026 cut-off date? The British Horse Society (BHS) is offering expenses of £100 to anyone who applies to a local authority to record a bridleway, restricted byway or byway open to all traffic — or to upgrade a footpath or…
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Our general secretary wins bronze award
Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, has won bronze in The Great Outdoors magazine’s Campaigner of the Year Award, following a vote from members of the public. Described by one voter as ‘inspirational in her constant drive to keep footpaths open’, Kate came third to environmental campaigners Greta Thunberg and Chris Packham. Says Kate: ‘I am…
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We deplore Leicestershire County Council’s failure to protect public bridleway near Market Harborough
We are deeply concerned about the failure of Leicestershire County Council to protect public bridleway A105, at Farndon Fields to the west of Market Harborough, from development. The society has been supporting its local member Peter Pollak in his effort to get the route reopened. Harborough District Council, gave planning consent to Avant Homes to…
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