Public access to green space must be priority for new government
‘Public access to good-quality green spaces must be a priority for the new government.’ So declared our chairman Phil Wadey at the society’s annual general meeting held on the day of the general election. ‘We stand ready with suggestions for the government to improve access to, and enjoyment of, green spaces and paths in town…
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We fight new threat to Brent River Park, Ealing
We have objected to an application from Ealing Council to erect a massive leisure-centre with residential development and other infrastructure in Brent River Park in Ealing. The society is concerned that the development will take a bite out of the Brent River Park, destroying metropolitan open land (MOL) and public open space (POS). It argues…
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Access groups free an obstructed byway in North Yorkshire
The society was pleased to support the British Horse Society (BHS), along with the Byways and Bridleways Trust and Ramblers, to secure the removal of two pairs of large, ornamental gates which were obstructing a restricted byway in Stanwick St John, about eight miles north-east of Richmond in North Yorkshire. The BHS issued proceedings in…
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John Lavery, 1953-2024
Our former trustee John Lavery has died aged 70. John became involved in the society after he retired from his post as a lawyer with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). He was one of our trustees from 2013 to 2019, and for a time our parliamentary agent, studying the private bills…
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An extract from Open Space Magazine: reflecting on forty years
In the latest edition of Open Space magazine, Kate Ashbrook reflects on 40 years in her post as the general secretary of the Open Spaces Society. Forty years on When I joined the Open Spaces Society as its general secretary 40 years ago, our world was very different, says Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary. We…
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Our ten-point plan for the new government
We’ve published our ten-point plan for the new government. Says our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook: ‘In these tough times, during a cost-of-living and climate crisis, open spaces and paths for health and well-being, close to people’s homes, have never been more important.’ Public access 1. Early consultation on how to improve access for all The…
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Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Society celebrates 50th anniversary
‘The Ringwood & Fordingbridge Footpath Society (RFFS) is a vital eyes and ears on the ground in this part of Hampshire, adjacent to the New Forest.’ So said Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, speaking at the lunch in Ibsley to celebrate the RFFS’s 50th anniversary on Saturday (18 May). ‘The RFFS has been a member of…
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Government goes nowhere on green spaces
We are deeply disappointed at the government’s lacklustre response to the recent Urban Green Spaces inquiry. Last year the House of Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee conducted an inquiry into the ecological, environmental, and human benefits of green space, and the most effective solutions to making cities greener and nature rich. The society…
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Land restored as common at Lower Banns, Cornwall
We welcome Cornwall Council’s decision to grant an application to register as common 0.26 hectares of woodland at Lower Banns, Mount Hawke, two miles south of St Agnes in Cornwall. The land comprises two parcels of land. One is situated on the north side of Banns Road and the other immediately opposite on the south…
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New government: new access?
‘The new government must plan to provide better access for people, for their recreation and enjoyment, and for their health and well-being.’ This was the message from our general secretary Kate Ashbrook, speaking on 27 April at the 92nd anniversary event to commemorate the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass in 1932. The event, organised by the…
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