The Legend of the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass

Angela Barnes and John O’Farrell cavort through history and uncover the most fascinating and down-right bizarre events.

This time; the day hundreds of walkers asserted the Right To Roam across the Peak District against the wishes of the landed gentry who wanted the hills kept private so they could shoot grouse. John and Angela really struggle to take sides on this one. 

The protest is seen as an important catalyst to securing access to the countryside, but has the simple story of one dramatic day of action obscured the truth about the decades of diligent campaigning that did the hard work?

Trigger warning; this episode includes John singing a snippet of a folk song.

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• “I like the idea of a country walk, but the countryside hates me. To insects I’m the equivalent of a restaurant with three Michelin stars.” – Angela Barnes
• “The mass trespass was a stunt – it’s a good simple story, with young victims and posh villains which is why it has found its way into public consciousness.” – John O’Farrell

Reading list: 

Kinder Scout and the Legend of the Mass Protest by David Haye

Right to Roam by Marion Shoad 

Forbidden Land by Tom Stephenson 

We Are History is written and presented by Angela Barnes and John O’Farrell. Audio production by Simon Williams and artwork by James Parrett. Lead Producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Group Editor is Andrew Harrison. We Are History is a Podmasters Production.

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