Monthly Archives: June 2015

Campaign successes in Cataumet

Posted on 26/06/2015 by campaignerkate

The pile of marsh hay, or Eel Grass as it is known locally, on the slipway to Squeteague Harbour at Cataumet (a village in the township of Bourne, Cape Cod), is the sign that John York, who lives next door, is … Continue reading →

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A visit to the First Nations in their own land

Posted on 18/06/2015 by campaignerkate

The banausic cry of the red-winged blackbird serenaded us as we stood on the shores of Lake Wakamne, 72 kilometres north-west of Edmonton, and learnt how the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation had settled here.  It was the day of the … Continue reading →

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Hypocrisy on the meadow

Posted on 16/06/2015 by campaignerkate

On 15 June fifteen thousand of us gathered on the meadows at Runnymede, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta.  We had been invited by the National Trust (landowner) and Surrey County Council.     It … Continue reading →

Posted in common land, commons, History, National Trust, parliament, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Bridge of size

Posted on 14/06/2015 by campaignerkate

One of my most enjoyable tasks as president of the Ramblers is to celebrate the successes of our brilliant volunteers.  Last Tuesday I joined the Forest of Dean group to mark the completion of an impressive footbridge* over the River Lyd … Continue reading →

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A day of contrasts

Posted on 13/06/2015 by campaignerkate

Forty years ago, Friday 13 June 1975 was a day of contrasts. It started in the most idyllic way.  I was camping on High House Waste, land rescued from afforestation by the Dartmoor Preservation Association in the 1960s.  I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dartmoor, Devon, National parks, Open Spaces Society, Ramblers | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Prize for a plucky pressure-group

Posted on 12/06/2015 by campaignerkate

Two weeks ago in Edmonton I was thrilled to present the 2015 Elinor Ostrom Award to a most impressive organisation.  AMAN, the Indigenous People’s Alliance of the Archipelago, won the award for practitioners.  It works across Indonesia to defend community rights to the commons.   … Continue reading →

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Promoting practitioners on the commons

Posted on 08/06/2015 by campaignerkate

Our commons need both practitioners and academics.  I am keen that the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) should embrace both.  Up to now it has been more of an academic organisation than a practical one.  The commons (in the … Continue reading →

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Wedded to the Ramblers

Posted on 07/06/2015 by campaignerkate

At the end of volunteers’ week 2015 I want to thank Alan and Elsie Gaskell, who today celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary.  They have worked tirelessly for the Ramblers for decades.  They have been stalwart members of the association’s West … Continue reading →

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As long as the sun shines

Posted on 04/06/2015 by campaignerkate

It was excellent that the First Nation people of Canada helped to organise and were fully involved in the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) conference in Edmonton.  We spoke to many of them and learnt a … Continue reading →

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Beaver work

Posted on 01/06/2015 by campaignerkate

After a walk in the Elk Island National Park, east of Edmonton, Canada, I understand the origin of the phrase ‘work like a beaver’. With John Powell from the Countryside and Community Research Unit (CCRI) of Gloucester University and Simone Buratti, executive … Continue reading →

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