Monthly Archives: August 2015

A tribute to ‘Access’ Alexander

Posted on 31/08/2015 by campaignerkate

John Alexander, who was footpaths officer and then chairman of the Ramblers’ Winchester Group, has died aged 91.  But he was far more than a group official, important though such jobs are; he participated vigorously in the national campaign for … Continue reading →

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Serendipity at Bolton Landing

Posted on 30/08/2015 by campaignerkate

We came upon Bolton Landing by chance, and it was just what we wanted.  Bolton Landing is at the southern end of Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains, New York State. It was Sunday 21 June, the day after the … Continue reading →

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A decade of access in south-west England

Posted on 28/08/2015 by campaignerkate

Sunday 28 August 2005 was a landmark day in the south west of England. Ten years ago today the new access rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 came into effect.  This meant the public had the … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, commons, Dartmoor, Devon, National parks, Open country, Ramblers, walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What should we tell the children?

Posted on 28/08/2015 by campaignerkate

My fighting friend Barbara MacDonald (1912-2002), aptly known as ‘the red-haired rebel’, would have been 103 today, 28 August.  Last year I celebrated her birthday by publishing her powerful poem about wilderness.  This year I have reproduced her polemic of 1974, What should we … Continue reading →

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Llanymynech limeworks

Posted on 26/08/2015 by campaignerkate

My disappointment about the walk organised by Natural Resources Wales at Meifod, Powys, on 4 August was offset by my afternoon visit to Underhill Farm and the Llanymynech Limeworks Heritage Area. Underhill Farm is just in Shropshire, close to the Powys border. … Continue reading →

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Coastal access inside out

Posted on 17/08/2015 by campaignerkate

Coastal access in England was given a welcome injection of cash, following an announcement last December by the then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.  Natural England (NE), which is responsible for mapping the coastal path and adjoining access land and for producing … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Coastal access, Natural England, Ramblers, Ramblers' president, walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hard-won access in the Wolds

Posted on 16/08/2015 by campaignerkate

A band of chalk sweeps south west to north east across England, from the Dorset coast to Flamborough Head in North Yorkshire.  So the Yorkshire Wolds, in East and North Yorkshire, are part of the same seam as the Chilterns, but the two … Continue reading →

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Trust in post

Posted on 14/08/2015 by campaignerkate

The announcement that the chairman of the National Trust, Tim Parker, is also to be chairman of the Post Office is a repetition of history. For his predecessor at the trust by 130 years, Sir Robert Hunter, was also a … Continue reading →

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Why all in black?

Posted on 08/08/2015 by campaignerkate

I don’t know who decided that the outdoor uniform for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) staff should be black, but it was unfortunate—for NRW can’t want to appear either funereal or fascist.   The uniforms were much in evidence when I joined the walk … Continue reading →

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National parks: the soul of Britain

Posted on 02/08/2015 by campaignerkate

The new environment minister, Rory Stewart, has given a resounding endorsement to our national parks.  I have reproduced below his interview which was posted on You Tube by National Parks England on 31 July. It is brilliantly clear and unequivocal and delivered … Continue reading →

Posted in campaigns, Lake District, National parks, parliament, wild country | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments