Local people making their corner of rural Britain unique
This week
SaturdayÌýÌý21st April 2007
In this week’s Open Country Helen Mark visits the scene of the Mass Trespass on Kinder Scout in the Peak District which happened 75 years ago this week. The event is credited with prompting the establishment of the
National Parks and the Right to Roam acts.
In 1932 four hundred walkers from Manchester and Sheffield deliberately trespassed on part of the Peak District kept exclusively for grouse shooting. 75 years on the same land is owned by the National Trust and open to anyone who wants to walk on it. The scene of the event was Kinder Scout – the highest point in the National Park.
Local writer Roly Smith tells Helen about what happened on the day of the Mass Trespass. Most of those involved came from Manchester and Sheffield which are both around ten miles from Kinder. After a scuffle with gamekeepers a handful of the walkers were arrested. They were given prison sentences of up to six months each.
Helen vists the High Peak Community Arts group which is marking the anniversary of the Trespass by putting on a play. Those involved are from the towns and villages surrounding Kinder.
Helen takes the trip to the top of Kinder with John Coombs from Edale Mountain Rescue. Accompanying John is his search dog, Biscuit. The Mountain Rescue Team is entirely funded by public donations. John says without the Mass Trespass, it’s likely the service wouldn’t be free.
The most serious problem facing Kinder Scout is the erosion of the layer of peat which covers the plateau top of the mountain like a blanket. Former ranger Ian Hurst tells Helen what an important habitat it is, and what’s being done to try and arrest the erosion.
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