RA members pay tribute to Benny Rothman [24 January 2002]

WALKERS ARE today mourning the death of Benny Rothman (90), leader of the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass of 1932 and honorary lifetime member of the Ramblers' Association (RA), who died on Wednesday, 23 January.

Benny, a stocky, diminutive figure with a huge heart and a will of iron when it came to the public's rights, was a legendary figure in the history of the freedom to roam campaign. He was an active rambler and campaigner until a stroke in his mid 80s.

As one of the Kinder Scout leaders he was jailed for five months. At that time walkers were banned from almost all the open moorland of the Peak District and the trespass gave a powerful thrust to the campaign that led to the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act of 1949, and even the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Nick Barrett, Chief Executive at the RA, said: "The news of Benny Rothman's death will not only touch the hearts of all our members, but of the millions who can now enjoy our national parks and greater access to the countryside.  Benny's courageous march across moorland 70 years ago cost him imprisonment but it lit the torch for responsible freedom to roam for future generations."

For details of the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass 70th anniversary see our events page.

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