AGM 2025 write up 

We were pleased to hold our 2025 annual general meeting (AGM) as a hybrid event for the fourth time, with members attending by video conference or in person at Friends House in Euston on 3 July.

The event was chaired by Phil Wadey, our chairman, and we were joined by 46 members and one guest in total, of whom 27 attended in person and 20 online.  

Phil began the meeting by welcoming attendees and reflecting on the year since our last AGM.  

 In 2024, the event took place on the same day as the general election and Phil looked back at the plea he made to the new government to afford our green spaces, commons, and paths the protection and respect they deserve.  

Phil spoke of his pleasure at the government’s plan to introduce legislation to remove Path Extinguishment Day in England, and of his similar delight when the society’s submissions led to the inclusion of Path Extinguishment Day repeal in the Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Bill.

‘Good work in Wales, and an announcement in England, but much more to be done,’ he finished.  

After Phil’s speech, we moved on to last year’s minutes, which were approved. 

Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, then presented the 2024 annual report. ‘We’ve put up a great fight through the centuries,’ Kate declared, just two weeks before our 160th anniversary. Kate thanked OSS staff before turning to some amazing successes from the last 12 months.  

Kate spoke to our contribution to the Dartmoor backpack camping case, highlighting the way in which our intervention made a huge difference.  

She talked about West Northamptonshire Council which, thanks to our legal action, has conceded that it was wrong to use a temporary traffic regulation order to avoid reopening a blocked path—a valuable lesson to other authorities which are tempted to act similarly. 

And, Kate explained, we have registered eight lost commons in England and Wales in the last year, thanks to forensic research and advocacy.  

Following Kate’s speech, we heard from Stuart Bain, our treasurer, who spoke to the 2024 accounts. Stuart confirmed that we are in a strong position to keep fighting for open spaces.  

Following the ballot, all five of those standing were re-elected as vice-presidents, and the three candidates who stood were re-elected as trustees.  

We were sad to say goodbye to Graham Bathe, who retired from the board of trustees after 14 years. Graham has served as trustee and vice-chairman, leading the last review of our strategic plan. ‘Graham’, said Phil, ‘has been a helpful mentor and a calming, incisive friend’.

At the conclusion of the AGM, Phil was pleased to present Nicola Hodgson, our former case officer, with honorary life membership of the society, a rare accolade. Nicola worked for the society for 25 years before her retirement, and has done prodigious work in that time.  

Nicola is a leading expert in the registration of town and village greens and has been instrumental in the society’s work to protect open spaces. 

Presentations from members

Following the break for lunch, we heard from some of our members who spoke of their work in furthering our aims. 

Paul Johnson, who will shortly retire from Natural England where he has most recently served as principal officer for statutory access, reflected on 50 years in public service and the lessons he learnt over that time.  

Kate Ashbrook and Hugh Craddock delved more deeply into the Dartmoor backpack-camping case, from early fights over the use of the land to the recent Supreme Court win.  

Mark Olney then spoke about an upcoming anniversary in Eton Wick, which will be celebrated in May 2026. The land between Eton Town and Eton Wick village was protected in law on May 1st 1826.  

We next heard from Dave Ramm on the effect of solar panels on public rights of way in the countryside.

And the final presentation of the day came from Richard Clarke who spoke about the successful #GateGate campaign at Cwmparc, Treorchy in Rhondda Cynon Taf, more details of which can be found here.  

2025 draft minutes 

The draft minutes from the 2025 AGM are available here, for approval at the 2026 AGM.