As a non-commercial Community web site we rely totally on people in the community to send us information and photos that will add to other people's knowledge of Exmoor and its surrounding area. Many thanks to the thousands of people who have contributed information so far to Everything Exmoor.Do you know the history of a particular place or have a story to tell about a local character? If so please send it along.
The campaign for public open access to land in England nas been going on for much longer than might be expected. In 1884, Member of Parliament James Bryce irtroduced the first Bill proposing a freedom to roam. This bill was re-introduced every year lor the next 30 years defeated each time.
In 1932 six people were sent to jail for leading the famous mass trespass on Kinder Scout in the Peak District. This trespass mostly comprised of local people: who worked in factories and wanted the nght to enjoy the open moorlands on their precious days off.
The National Parks Committee (known as Hobhouse Committee) wasset up in 1945 to consider the recommendation of John Dower,a research Officer in the Ministry of Works,and planning in possible Natioonal Park areas
The Hobhouse Committee reported in 1947, leading to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 under which open country was defined as mountain, moor, heath, down, cliff and foreshore. Local authorities were required to survey open countryside, assess the level of access provided and to secure further access by means of agreements, orders or by purchasing the land. This was less effective than was hoped and few areas were opened up.
i
In 1997, over 100 years after the first freedom to roam Bill was proposed, Government proposed legislation introducing a public right to walk on open country. From this stems the present day opening up of new public access land throughout England and Wales.
The Open Access symbol
Contributed by: Tim Kelso
Community Section
Number of people currently online at Everything Exmoor - 41 Maximum number of people simultaneously viewing Everything Exmoor recently - 69
All text, content, photos, diagrams, logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owners who are a mix of individual contributors from the community, organisations and businesses.
As a condition of using this web site you note that Everything Exmoor and those creating the web site try to ensure that the information supplied and published on Everything Exmoor is accurate. However, we cannot accept any liability for the accuracy of content and no responsibility can be accepted by anyone connected with Everything Exmoor for any consequential loss or damage arising from its use. Visitors who rely on the information on Everything Exmoor do so at their own risk. Prior to using this web site you must read and agree to the following three documents Disclaimer, Privacy and Terms
of Use
This site is continually being updated - last major update 07th April 2008
We would very much appreciate it if you you place a
link to this web site from your own web pages
)
)
)