Monthly Archives: December 2013

Who, from where, looked at what in 2013

Posted on 31/12/2013 by campaignerkate

WordPress produces a report of my blog for the year, and here it is.  I see, from other people’s reviews, that WordPress helpfully alters the introductory paragraph to compare the visits to the blogger’s site with something which will make … Continue reading →

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Grandpa right: grandson wrong!

Posted on 28/12/2013 by campaignerkate

The government is doing something rather good!   It has included in its draft Deregulation Bill the recommendations of the stakeholder working group on unrecorded highways, Stepping Forward.  The group aimed to make it quicker and easier for surveying authorities … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Open Spaces Society, Public paths | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Natural England’s new boss hurries to fix his footpaths

Posted on 18/12/2013 by campaignerkate

‘I give a categoric assurance to this committee that the footpaths over my land are clear, open and available.’ So said Mr Andrew Sells, the prospective chairman of Natural England, in response to scrutiny by the House of Commons’ Environment, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Natural England, Public paths | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Defra’s poor grammar (continued)

Posted on 17/12/2013 by campaignerkate

It’s always nice to get a christmas card from a secretary of state, whether on paper or by email, and I like the perky robin from environment secretary Owen (goalposts) Paterson.  However, Defra still needs a lesson in grammar (see … Continue reading →

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Campaigner’s creed

Posted on 06/12/2013 by campaignerkate

Vision without action is only dreaming, action without vision is only passing time, but vision with action can change the world. Thank you Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013.    

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Swincombe—wild and lonely and free

Posted on 03/12/2013 by campaignerkate

Forty-three years ago today Swincombe, in the heart of wild Dartmoor, was saved from a reservoir—largely thanks to the efforts of the Dartmoor Preservation Association’s chairman, Lady (Sylvia) Sayer.  In honour of the event I reproduce here an article I … Continue reading →

Posted in Dartmoor, National parks, wild country | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

It pays to welcome walkers

Posted on 01/12/2013 by campaignerkate

It was timely to launch the Emsworth Walkers Are Welcome Town on 30 November, just as the Ramblers published their Paths in Crisis report.  This exposes the highway authorities’ cuts to their path budgets and the devastating effect these have on … Continue reading →

Posted in Walkers Are Welcome Towns, walking | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments