Monthly Archives: August 2012

Barbara the red-haired rebel’s centenary

Posted on 28/08/2012 by campaignerkate

Today, 28 August, Barbara MacDonald would have been 100 years old.  Founder of the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, she campaigned for Dartmoor’s livestock and landscape – and much else.  This is what I wrote in the Western Morning News shortly after … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, common land, Dartmoor, Dartmoor livestock, Open Spaces Society, Ramblers | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

From pillar to post

Posted on 27/08/2012 by campaignerkate

You’d have thought Waitrose would be totally geared up to parties. One phone call or one visit to a store and you could order glasses, drink and food.  No such luck! My partner Chris was having his eightieth birthday party, … Continue reading →

Posted in People, Turville, Uncategorized, Waitrose | 2 Comments

Pat’s party

Posted on 25/08/2012 by campaignerkate

It was the hottest day of the year so far, 18 August, when I joined the Meopham and District Footpaths Group for its fiftieth anniversary tea-party, hosted by the president Pat Wilson. Pat is no ordinary president.  A sprightly 95 year … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, AONB, common land, Obstructed path, Open country, Open Spaces Society, Public paths, Ramblers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Worldwide postcard-stamps – with a smile

Posted on 15/08/2012 by campaignerkate

Recently I visited the North York Moors National Park with members of the Symonds Club (colleagues from the national park movement, the club being named after the Lake District campaigner, the late H H Symonds).  The national park officer, Andy Wilson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, National parks | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A golden evening

Posted on 14/08/2012 by campaignerkate

This year the Ramblers’ Farnham Group celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a number of events. These included a week of walks, adding up to 50 miles and each illustrating a campaign success for the group; the 50-mile circuit of Farnham; an anniversary booklet; a hog roast … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Public paths, Ramblers, Ramblers' president, walking | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Octavia’s centenary

Posted on 13/08/2012 by campaignerkate

Was it a coincidence, or clever timing? Today (13 August) the National Trust announced the appointment of its new director-general, Helen Ghosh. Today was also the centenary of the death of one of its founders, Octavia Hill.  Octavia would surely have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, National Trust, Open country, Open Spaces Society, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A vital Welsh tradition

Posted on 12/08/2012 by campaignerkate

Every year, just before the Welsh national eisteddfod, the Open Spaces Society, Ramblers and other organisations receive an invitation from the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to join him on a walk during the eisteddfod. We start … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Coastal access, Countryside Council for Wales, Natural history, Wales | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Why not walking?

Posted on 11/08/2012 by campaignerkate

As the Olympics close, the Prime Minister has said that ‘promoting competitive team and individual sports will be at the heart of the new primary school curriculum’. But it would be far better to promote non-competitive walking to children: enable and encourage … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Public paths, Uncategorized, walking | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments