I’m making a list of current or recent issues about registration of rights of way and land ownership: OSS lantern slide of Fetcham Mill Pond: https://images.oss.org.uk/photos/fetcham-millpond-surrey/
As part of my Open Spaces Society fellowship for the Museum of English Rural Life, I hosted a symposium on open spaces, commons and trespass on 8 September 2021. We had a great range of papers, photography, poetry and campaigns highlighted. I’m
You can watch my short paper on the history of preservationist movements, access, amenity and the Industrial Pennines, for the University of Reading Changing Landscapes AHRC network symposium, 30 March 2021. Link on their webpage, with some of the other talks, including
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9164/ (with PDF report) government response to consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-police-powers-to-tackle-unauthorised-encampments/outcome/government-response-to-the-consultation-strengthening-police-powers-to-tackle-unauthorised-encampments-accessible-version Responses: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/law-of-trespass-could-change https://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/latest-news/2021/march/ramblers-call-on-government-to-rethink-policing-bill.aspx https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/14/new-anti-protest-bill-raises-profound-concern-human-rights-groups-say https://friendsoftheearth.uk/system-change/open-letter-home-secretary-and-secretary-state-justice Commentary: David Mead for the LSE blog:
On 12 March 2021, I took part in an excellent discussion about the Winter Hill mass trespass near Bolton in 1896. Local historian Paul Salverson, land reform campaigners Guy Shrubsole and Nick Hayes, and actor Maxine Peake spoke, alongside me. We were
Current government proposals to make trespass a criminal offence have been criticised by groups representing Gypsies & Travellers, and the Ramblers. Trespass has always been a civil offence, but the change to criminal office would increase police powers and potential sentences for
I’ve been working on the archives in Bolton relating to the Winter Hill mass trespass of 6 September 1896. More to follow but here are some links to work that has already been done on the event. ‘Will yo’ come o’ Sunday