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Kinder trespass remembered this weekend

Walkers have the chance to follow in some influential footprints this weekend.The Peak District town of New Mills will be alive with history as politicians, comedians, actors, campaigners and just bog-standard ramblers converge to celebrate the anniversary of the Kinder Scout mass trespass.Trespassers set off for Kinder, April 1932It’s 75 years since Benny Rothman and his shabby horde of young walkers confronted the establishment on the slopes of the Peak’s highest hill and set in motion events that still resonate.

Minister signals go-ahead for coastal access

Environment Secretary David Miliband has signalled he will accept Natural England’s proposals to set up a right-to-roam corridor around England’s coastline.Left: David Miliband and Kate Ashbrook of the Ramblers' Association at the celebration of the first anniversary of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act in West YorkshireMr Miliband, who is being touted by many in the Labour Party as a successor to Tony Blair, will have gained support among many of the party’s traditional supporters, including those in the outdoor movement who see the right-to-roam as central to the party’s manifesto commitment to opening up the countryside.As the Ramblers’ Association (RA) and other campaigners prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Kinder Scout mass trespass, which many see as the pivotal event in the long struggle for access to Britain’s wild upland, the Environment Secretary told The Independent on Sunday that he would push through the proposals to create a corridor which would shift automatically inland if coastal erosion occurred – bypassing the mapping nightmare which made the Countryside and Rights of Way Act’s (CRoW Act) introduction so protracted.

Law gives added protection to village greens

Campaigners are welcoming a new law which gives increased protection to village greens.From tomorrow, Good Friday, a section of the Commons Act 2006 comes into force, limiting one of the ways landowners can thwart registration of land as a green. Nicola Hodgson, the Open Spaces Society’s case officer, said:  “This clarification of the law will make it easier for people to apply to register land as a town or village green, thereby saving it from development and securing its enjoyment by the local population.

Dales website adds activities section

A National Park authority has added a new section to its website to encourage activities in its area.Left: walkers in the Yorkshire Dales, with Ingleborough in the distance  The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has launched a Getting Active section to its site, to encourage visitors to do something physical in the Dales, whether it’s a gentle stroll, a fell run or a stint of rockclimbing.

Fiennes Eiger adventure on TV tomorrow

There’s more TV interest for lovers of mountains tomorrow when ITV broadcasts the documentary of Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s conquest of the Eiger’s North Face.Once again, you’ll need digital access because it’s being shown on ITV4.

Women only for Causey Pike walk

This news is for women only, so all the male readers of grough can go away and play with their GPSs for a couple of minutes.As part of the Keswick Mountain Festival, Pace the Peaks, a woman-run mountain walk outfit, is organising a female-only walk up Causey Pike – and there’s a free gift for everyone who takes part.Festival organisers said: “If you enjoy walking with other women, this is for you.“Start the day with a trip on the launch across Derwent Water.

Don't rely on mobiles, say rescuers

Lake District fellwalkers should not rely on their mobile phones to get themselves out of trouble.That’s the message from a rescue team who spent an hour searching for a walker on the wrong fell because of a poor phone message.Right: Sharp Edge, scene of the original searchKeswick Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) received a 999 call for assistance about 1.30pm on Tuesday this week, but had no indication of the nature of the casualty’s injury or whereabouts because of a poor signal from the phone.The team tried to estimate the walker’s location by triangulating the signal, working out it probably came from the Threlkeld area or Sharp Edge on nearby Blencathra.

Lake District map course on offer

There’s a chance to brush up your map and compass skills over the Easter break.The Lake District National Park Authority is running an event based  around Grasmere to help you find your way around on the fells.Easter Monday is the date for the gathering, which starts at the Stock Lane car park in the village.The following day, you can join a guided walk around the Keswick area where you can explore landscape and heritage, while on 12 April there a chance to take in a stroll around the 12th century Dacre Church and Dalemain Park.The map and compass day costs £5 to adults and £3 to children.