Latest News

New green for residents of Talybont, Ceredigion

May 1, 2014

We are delighted that local people have succeeded in registering land at Talybont, Ceredigion, as a village green.  The land, known as Patchyn Plant, is on the east side of the Maes-y-deri housing estate. The application for green status was made to Ceredigion Council by Ms Sue Jones-Hughes in November 2011 on the ground that…

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Reignite the campaigning Kinder trespassers’ zeal

April 26, 2014

‘We must reignite the campaigning zeal of the Kinder trespassers.  Times are tough for countryside campaigners, but the spirit of Kinder will carry us through.’ So declared our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, at the Spirit of Kinder event to celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the famous mass trespass.  This was held at Sheffield Town Hall…

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Public Right of Way to Crinnis Beach at Carlyon Bay

April 20, 2014

There is to be a Public Inquiry on Tuesday 10th June 2014 starting at 10.00 a.m. To be held in the Council Chamber at St Austell One Stop-Shop, 39 Penwinnick Road, St. Austell PL25 5DR. Cornwall Council has already found that this right exists, to mean high water mark. However, objections to this small, but…

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Circuit of Wales developers withdraw application for works on common

April 17, 2014

The Heads of the Valley Development Company has withdrawn its application for works on Trefil-Las and Twyn Bryn-March Commons at Rassau, Blaenau Gwent.  We were one of the objectors. Last week the Planning Inspectorate called a public inquiry into the works which were proposed ahead of the prospective Circuit of Wales motor-racing development itself.  The…

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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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Celebrating the South Downs National Park’s fourth birthday

April 6, 2014

‘We won the South Downs National Park just in time.  Without the designation, the park might now be a very different place, with new development not only beating at its door, but trampling all over it.’  So said Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, at a rally organised by the Hampshire Ramblers at Queen Elizabeth Country…

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Common-land champions welcome Natural England’s new focus on commons

April 4, 2014

The Foundation for Common Land and the Open Spaces Society have welcomed the news that Natural England has created a new post of Principal Specialist on Commons with effect from 1 April. The new role will ensure that common land is given a higher profile within Natural England and will bring together the multi interests…

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We present award to Bishop’s Meadow Trust

March 28, 2014

Our chairman, Tim Crowther, has presented a plaque to the Bishop’s Meadow Trust, Farnham, winner of the society’s first Open Space Award in 2012. The ceremony was held in the new community orchard, created for local schoolchildren to care for and harvest. The event was combined with a children’s tree-planting and the Mayor of Farnham,…

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Spirit of Kinder celebrations, 26 April 2014

March 26, 2014

The annual Spirit of Kinder event, celebrating Kinder Scout and the 1932 mass trespass, will this year be held in Sheffield on Saturday, April 26. The event, which will also celebrate ten years of the implementation of the CROW Act which gave the right to walk freely in open country, is organised by the Kinder…

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Whitby village green’s fate to be decided by Supreme Court

March 26, 2014

The application to register Helredale playing fields as a village green will be heard in the Supreme Court on Wednesday 2 April. The case could last for two days. We have assisted members of Helredale Neighbourhood Council (HNC) in Whitby, North Yorkshire, with their case. A member of the HNC committee, Mrs Christine Barkas, had…

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