April 2025 saw the fourth Outdoors for All festival organised by Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group, celebrating the 93rd anniversary of the 1932 Hayfield Kinder Scout Mass Trespass. It is now recognised as an important annual calendar date for everyone who cares about extending our right to access appropriate land and water across our country. This year, the event was sponsored by the Wainwright Foundation and the Alpkit Foundation.

Once again, the weekend attracted large numbers of people as Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group worked with national and local Right to Roam, together with the Outdoors Swimming Society, the YCL and other groups and individual volunteers to stage our most successful weekend since the 90th was held here in 2022.

 

Speakers on the Saturday and Sunday included Kate Ashbrook, Jon Pearce MP, Phil Brickell MP, Guy Shrubsole, Imogen Radcliffe, and David Toft, all addressing the national situation with regard to the possibility of new legislation being passed by the new Labour Government.

It was pointed out that all previous Labour Governments have introduced significant Acts in their first term of office– the creation of the National Parks in 1948, The Countryside Act 1968 (a significant piece of legislation that expanded public access and conservation efforts in the UK. Key provisions included empowering local authorities to create country parks, establish picnic and camping sites, and provide recreational facilities for the public.); and the The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CROW Act), passed in 2000 by the Labour government, providing a public right of access to certain rural areas like mountains, moors, and heaths, known as “open access land”.

Kate Ashbrook, Guy Shrubsole and Phil Brickell stressed how important it was that we should all campaign to ensure that the issue is a high-profile priority for the first term of this government – and warned that there was a danger it might be overlooked.

Discussions continued in St Matthew’s Church, with two panels, one for the national picture and a second, involving local activists, about specific issues in the region. This was followed by Trespass Workshops, which proved extremely popular.

Exhibitions of Trespass-related work by pupils at Hayfield Junior School, and once again, there was a well-received and thought-provoking exhibition by students from Loughborough University School of Architecture, whose brief was to design an eco-friendly Outdoor Centre.

The formal afternoon sessions ended with a rousing rendition of ‘The Manchester Rambler’ by Manchester folk singer ROO, and festivities continued late into the evening at the village green and in The George Hotel.

On Sunday, the now traditional walks and swim took place, greatly enhanced by the involvement of the national Right to Roam, who had organised public transport to bring in large numbers of supporters. After gathering for a rousing rally on the village hall green, campaigners marched out along the ‘trespass trail’ to William Clough and Kinder Reservoir, where there was yet again an inspiring swim event.