Minister marks ‘historic year’ at walkers’ Peak District celebration
[2 January 2001]

A SENIOR Government minister joined walkers at a mass rally in Derbyshire on Saturday, 30 December to celebrate the 50th year of the Peak National Park and the new freedom to roam.

Deputy Leader of the Commons Paddy Tipping MP spoke at the rally at Winnats Pass near Castleton - a site traditionally associated with the access movement.

Mr Tipping joined Kate Ashbrook, chairman of the Ramblers’ Association’s access committee, to unveil a plaque at the site commemorating ‘all ramblers who have campaigned for National Parks and public access to mountain and moorland’. The plaque depicts veteran campaigner G.H.B. Ward addressing a rally at the Pass in the 1930s.

The Peak District National Park was created in 1951 as a result of early campaigns by the Ramblers and other conservation groups. National Park status protects the natural beauty of the area and improves public access to the countryside. The new Countryside and Rights of Way Act, which creates responsible access for walkers to open countryside in England and Wales, has been described by campaigners as a ‘dream come true’. The first attempt to create a statutory freedom to roam was in 1884.

An NOP opinion poll in November 1999 found nearly nine in ten people supported the introduction of a freedom to roam. Mapping exercises are under way across England and Wales to determine the new areas for freedom to roam and the right is expected to be available by 2005.

Paddy Tipping MP said: "This is a truly historic year. After 100 years of campaigning we have at last won a freedom to roam in wild and open spaces - not just in the Peak District but across the country."

Kate Ashbrook said: "This is the first rally since winning the new freedom to roam law. It honours the dedication of our predecessors and of the Government in making this popular vision a reality."

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