50th ANNIVERSARY: WHY AND HOW IT HAPPENED
A SUMMARY.
As far as we can establish the 1932 mass trespass was not publicly celebrated until the 50th anniversary in April 1982. We are fortunate to have acquired a detailed account of how that event came about, written in 2021 by Julian Batsleer who was heavily involved in the planning of that 1982 anniversary.
Since 1982 the practice of regular anniversary celebrations has become established. The next was in 1992 (60th); then 2002 (70th); 2007 (75th); 2012 (80th). Since 2012 there has been an annual celebration on the nearest weekend to 24th April, called “Spirit of Kinder”, organised by Kinder and High Peak Advisory Group, in a variety of locations from Sheffield to Manchester, including Edale, New Mills, Castleton and Hayfield itself. Since 2016 there has also been an annual celebration in Hayfield, arranged by Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group. Accounts of these events can be found lower down this section, after the article about the 50th.
Below is a short extract from Julian’s article about how the 50th anniversary was planned.
“The central organiser and co-ordinator was an energetic, retired Benny Rothman. Being an experienced trade union and political organiser, he deftly wove together a wide range of individuals and groups to do all the work that was necessary to make such an event happen. He managed to involve prominent and established figures in the outdoor movement, alongside an enthusiastic group of young activist climbers and walkers drawn primarily from an array of radical political groups.
What was put together was an event which spoke to the traditions of the outdoor access movement more widely and celebrated achievements such as the Peak District National Park; at the same time it was up-front about the political resonances of the Mass Trespass in both 1932 and 1982. Mixed in with the celebration of the Trespass and access gains generally was a clear campaigning element of “unfinished business”. It is also important to note that, in the conception and planning of the event, Benny Rothman deliberately sought to involve representatives from the organisations which had vilified the trespass in 1932 and had kept their distance from Benny and anything to do with the trespass ever since. So, for instance, Don Lee of Peak and Northern Footpaths Society became a central figure. As were people from the RA – nationally and in Sheffield.”
Julian Batsleer, written in 2021.