Monthly Archives: November 2013

Desert-island luxury

Posted on 24/11/2013 by campaignerkate

There’s been lots of discussion today about Ed Miliband’s choice of tracks in Desert Island Discs, though less about his luxury (an Indian takeaway once a week).  I often muse about my luxury. Fiona Reynolds, former director-general of the National … Continue reading →

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The charter—20 years on

Posted on 23/11/2013 by campaignerkate

Twenty years ago this month the Open Spaces Society published its Charter for Open Spaces.  The peg was, in 1993, the 400th anniversary of the first Act of Parliament to protect open spaces. The 1593 Act was ‘for restraint of … Continue reading →

Posted in common land, green spaces, open spaces, Open Spaces Society, town and village greens | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Red light for green spaces

Posted on 22/11/2013 by campaignerkate

Wildlife and Countryside Link’s report Nature Check is not just about nature. It is an analysis of progress, or lack of, on the government’s 25 promises for the natural environment, which include public access and open spaces for people. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, green spaces, Growth and Infrastructure Act, open spaces, Open Spaces Society, town and village greens | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Wet braille is useless

Posted on 17/11/2013 by campaignerkate

This is just one of many things I learnt from Marika Kovacs, the blind lady with whom I had the pleasure of walking when I visited the Herefordshire Ramblers’ AGM at Bosbury on 9 November. Marika is an incredibly plucky … Continue reading →

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Washed away by the tide

Posted on 14/11/2013 by campaignerkate

The planning minister Nick Boles, who was responsible for the nasty attack on village greens in the Growth and Infrastructure Act, has claimed that his planning reforms are making the world ‘a better place’. That’s news to me. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth and Infrastructure Act, open spaces, planning, town and village greens | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Hazlemere and Haslemere

Posted on 08/11/2013 by campaignerkate

On Wednesday I was at Hazlemere, Bucks, to present the plaque to the Grange Area Trust, winners of this year’s Open Spaces Society Open Space Award.  The trust has saved the 16-hectares Widmer Fields from development by raising the money … Continue reading →

Posted in common land, open spaces, Open Spaces Society | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Fanfare for the commons man

Posted on 06/11/2013 by campaignerkate

Sir Robert Hunter, who died one hundred years ago today (6 November) is best remembered as founder of the National Trust.  But by then, in 1895, he was over 50; a far greater proportion of his life was spent campaigning … Continue reading →

Posted in common land, National Trust, Open Spaces Society | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Ministry of Injustice

Posted on 03/11/2013 by campaignerkate

‘The professional campaigners of Britain are growing in number, taking over charities, dominating BBC programmes and swarming around Westminster.’  So ranted Justice Secretary Chris Grayling in the Daily Mail on 6 September. This was the day that the Ministry of … Continue reading →

Posted in Open Spaces Society, town and village greens | Tagged , | 4 Comments