The Rambling Clubs of the 18th Century

In the 17 hundreds, there was nearly four thousand acts of parliament between 17 60 and 18 70. That's a sixth of england that went from common lands to enclosed private property. People were so desperate to continue hunting on this once common land that they came at night and covered their faces in soot for extra camouflage. The death penalty for trespassing was done away with, but the land remained closed to the vast majority of people. In the 19 thirties manchester had a rambling club called the british workers sports federation. They oftenentimes had socialist sensibilities, but at the heart, there was a love for walking and a belief that it was their right.