Category Archives: commons

Go for it, Dartmoor National Park Authority!

Posted on 21/01/2023 by campaignerkate

It is crucial that the Dartmoor National Park Authority resolves to appeal against the high court ruling on wild camping on the Dartmoor commons. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, campaigns, commons, Dartmoor, National parks, Open country, parliament, riding, walking, wild country | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A bad-car day

Posted on 26/02/2022 by campaignerkate

It was a frustrating day for Butterfly Conservation’s Jenny Plackett, and for me. We both intended to join the Dartmoor Preservation Association volunteers for the workday on my land at Common Wood, near Horndon on Dartmoor, on Monday 14 February. … Continue reading →

Posted in butterflies, Common Wood, commons, Dartmoor | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Ian Mercer’s life celebrated

Posted on 25/01/2022 by campaignerkate

I was delighted when the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB) accepted my offer to write an entry for Ian Mercer.  I first met Ian in 1973 when he was about to become the first Dartmoor National Park Officer, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, commons, Countryside Council for Wales, Dartmoor, National parks, Natural history, Obituary, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

People at the heart of policy

Posted on 27/10/2021 by campaignerkate

I spoke at the recent national park societies’ conference: national parks have never needed us more. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, campaigns, commons, Dartmoor, green spaces, National parks, Natural England, Open country, Public paths, wild country | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Ten years of Common Wood

Posted on 25/10/2021 by campaignerkate

I have owned Common Wood on Dartmoor for ten years, and it is as lovely as ever. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Common Wood, commons, Dartmoor, walking, wild country | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Woodchester wander

Posted on 31/07/2021 by campaignerkate

Blissful walk in the Cotswolds from Coaley Peak to Woodchester Mansion. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, AONB, commons, Public paths, walking, walks | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Downs for people not parking

Posted on 22/07/2021 by campaignerkate

After 25 years of campaigning we celebrated victory on Bristol’s Clifton and Durdham Downs, which have been saved from car-parking. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, campaigns, commons, Open Spaces Society | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ruthless Ruth

Posted on 21/03/2021 by campaignerkate

Ruth Colyer, campaigner for public paths and commons in Dorset, died ten years ago this month. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, commons, Obituary, Open Spaces Society, Ramblers | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Remember your roots, NE!

Posted on 25/02/2021 by campaignerkate

Natural England needs to remember all its predecessor bodies when planning for nature recovery. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, AONB, campaigns, commons, National parks, Natural England | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

From chemist to conservationist

Posted on 08/12/2020 by campaignerkate

Frank Beech, hon secretary of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, died 40 years ago. He was a hard act to follow, but I tried to. Continue reading →

Posted in commons, Dartmoor, National parks, Obituary, Peak District, wild country | Tagged , , | 4 Comments