Land for the Many Report
The society welcomes the publication today of Land for the Many, a report commissioned by the Labour Party. The party will consider the proposals as part of its policy development ahead of the next general election. The report places land at the heart of political debate and discussion, and it proposes significant changes to land…
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Better access in Wales?
Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn, has made an announcement about improving public access in Wales. This follows the government’s consultation in 2017 to which there were more than 16,000 responses. The minister extols the benefits of an accessible countryside and the importance of supporting rural areas to maximise revenue from tourism.…
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Village greens under the cosh
Green spaces have been dealt a savage blow. The Court of Appeal has ruled that even when land is vaguely identified in a plan for potential development, it cannot be registered as a town or village green (TVG). We are deeply concerned that as a result of the Appeal Court judgment people’s ability to record…
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Chester walking club celebrates centenary in style
‘The Chester Rambling and Hill Walking Club has provided pleasure and adventure to walkers for 100 years. It could take a lead in campaigning for walkers’ rights too.’ So said Kate Ashbrook, our general secretary, speaking at the club’s centenary dinner in Chester on Thursday 16 May. More than 135 club members at the dinner…
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Campaign to Double the Number of School Children Enjoying our National Parks
Although over 60,000 school children visit the national parks each year, the government has long promised increases to this number. The Society, as a member of a coalition of five charities including Campaign for National Parks and with celebrity support, has now demanded urgent action to more than double the number of school children who…
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Help Celebrate The Ninth Birthday Of South Downs National Park
The Hampshire Area & South East Hants Group of the Ramblers are organising an event to celebrate the ninth anniversary of the South Downs National Park. All are welcome. It is at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Centre, near Petersfield in Hampshire (grid reference SU 719 186) on Saturday 30th March at 10.30 am. Join us in the marquee at the…
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Pledge To Protect And Preserve National Parks In Celebration Of Their Seventieth Anniversary
Seventy years after an Act of Parliament was passed creating national parks in England and Wales, five of the original campaigning organisations came together once again to pledge to protect and preserve the parks for future generations and make access for everyone easier. Campaign for National Parks, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the Open…
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Celebrate The 70th Anniversary Of National Parks In The Peak District
This year is the seventieth anniversary of the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949 which gave us national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, national nature reserves, long-distance paths (national trails) and definitive maps of rights of way among other things. None of these was achieved without a great deal of lobbying,…
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Pocket Parks Plus: Great Opportunity For Open Spaces
We have welcomed the new grant scheme for establishing, restoring and renovating open spaces. Launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Pocket Parks Plus provides match funding to communities who want to create small spaces for local people to enjoy. Applications must be made by 25 January 2019. The land can be any size up…
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Our Appointment To The National Trust Council
The National Trust has resolved that the society should continue to have an appointee on its council. Beverley Penney served for nine years, and did a great job for us, but now her term has expired. The society has appointed its former chairman, Graham Bathe, in her place. Graham (right), who lives on the edge…
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