Kinder Scout is now open to walkers and climbers

More than a thousand walkers braved some of the worst April weather to take to the hills to celebrate pioneers of access to the countryside.

The Kinder 80 festival marked the anniversary of the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass, a turning point in the battle for public access to Britain’s uplands.

Five ramblers, led by Manchester Communist Benny Rothman, led the mass trespass of hundreds of walkers on to the Peak District’s highest hill, which led to a scuffle with gamekeepers and the jailing of the five activists.

More than 1,250 people took part in the 30 walks and other events held at the end of last month to mark the 80th anniversary of the trespass.

The festival also celebrated Kinder Scout’s history and wildlife and the restoration work currently being done by the national park, the National Trust and the Moors for the Future Project to protect it for future generations.

Roly Smith, chair of the Kinder 80 committee which organised the events, said: “It says something about the spirit of local ramblers and their love of Kinder that they turned out in such numbers to our events in what were really atrocious weather conditions.

“I am very grateful to them, and to the army of full-time and volunteer rangers who led each of the walks so professionally.

“It is obvious that the spirit of the Kinder Trespass lives on.”