Monthly Archives: February 2015

Encouraging oodles of ouzels

Posted on 28/02/2015 by campaignerkate

I love to venture up Tavy Cleave early on a May morning, to hear and see ring ouzels.  I’ve only ever encountered two or three on a visit, with their clattering call like the stones in the river, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Dartmoor | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Why so silent?

Posted on 25/02/2015 by campaignerkate

Six months before the last election, environment secretary Hilary Benn was thrilled to confirm the South Downs as a national park; he signed the confirmation papers at Ditchling in East Sussex on 12 November 2009. He knew that this result … Continue reading →

Posted in campaigns, National parks, parliament | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Catch the Canine Culprit campaign

Posted on 23/02/2015 by campaignerkate

Our open upland and uncultivated landscapes are maintained by grazing animals, but the survival of traditional hill farms is increasingly precarious.  One of the tragedies which farmers face is that of sheep worrying by dogs: sheep and lambs are killed … Continue reading →

Posted in campaigns, common land, Dartmoor, Dartmoor livestock, Defra, National parks | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Cash for Cornish Paths campaign

Posted on 17/02/2015 by campaignerkate

The public path network is the jewel in Cornwall’s crown and it should be the best in the country.  Instead it is being starved of funds, neglected and downgraded.  The Ramblers in Cornwall are well placed to lead the campaign … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, campaigns, Obstructed path, Public paths, Ramblers, Ramblers' president | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A fence too far

Posted on 12/02/2015 by campaignerkate

In 1878 the Commons Preservation Society opposed the Manchester Corporation’s scheme to make Thirlmere in the Lake District into a reservoir and use the surrounding commons to collect the water.  Since people had always enjoyed free access to the fells, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, common land, Cumbria, National parks, Open Spaces Society, parliament, wild country | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Walkers Are Welcome goes international

Posted on 07/02/2015 by campaignerkate

I have learnt the joy of walking the footpaths.  Through walking you realise the beauty and abundance of nature.  I would like to spread the culture of walking in Japan. So said Ms Ruriko Izawa, member of the planning committee … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Japan, Walkers Are Welcome Towns, walking | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pat walks on

Posted on 05/02/2015 by campaignerkate

A year ago today, on 5 February 2014, I marked the 97th birthday of Pat Wilson, much-loved vice-president and Medway correspondent of the Open Spaces Society.   It is tragic that Pat did not live to see her 98th birthday: she … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, campaigns, Obstructed path, Open Spaces Society, Public paths | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Recognisably regional, not harshly alien’

Posted on 03/02/2015 by campaignerkate

The first Dartmoor building guide was published in January 1956 but its foreword, by Lord Strang (then chairman of the National Parks Commission), was written 60 years ago today, 3 February 1955.  It must have taken some time to produce … Continue reading →

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Quarter days

Posted on 01/02/2015 by campaignerkate

Since 60 is divisible by four, and since I have kept a diary from 1969, I am able to record what I was doing on every quarter-day of my life until now.  I can’t say it’s gripping! On Sunday 1 February … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Memories, Open Spaces Society, Ramblers | Tagged , , | Leave a comment