‘The Compleat Trespasser’ invites us to embark on journeys into forbidden Britain. The author, John Bainbridge, recollects with flair his time spent hopping over fences, disregarding signage and hiding from vigilant game keepers in the undergrowth. He opens by speaking about the Trespasser’s Creed, which includes ‘recognising that the land is the common heritage of all people and that we should all own the right to roam.’ But, he is also clear on the fact that not everyone feels comfortable, or called, to trespass. ‘You may decide to be an armchair trespasser, taking in some of the adventures that follow in this book and the writing of others.’
Having been CEO of the Dartmoor Preservation Association between 1996 and 2005, Bainbridge is no stranger to the reality of land access rights. He led the victorious campaign to save the archaeologically important Shaugh Moor from waste tipping by the china clay industry and headed the campaign for right to roam in Devon, which culminated in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. He asserts that ‘there is a long and historic tradition of trespassing in Britain. It is a hugely important part of this country’s social history.’
The book is split into short chapters, which examine both the history of trespass and the author’s own experiences stepping off the path. Bainbridge praises the attitude of the ‘Sunday Tramps’ a Victorian rambling club which has Sir Leslie Stephen, first editor of the Dictionary of National Biography, as a member. He shares his own longing to pursue ‘short cuts or the fairest bits of the countryside,’ a feeling which has been historically shared by famous names, including the poet William Wordsworth and Sir Winston Churchill.
Through the pages of ‘The Compleat Trespasser’ readers have the chance to accompany Bainbridge in discovering the remains of hill forts, tramping across splendid ridgeways and marvelling at the majestic trees which line deep forest rides. All of these places are inaccessible to the public, except by trespassing. With this in mind, the exact names of locations are omitted. An unapologetic trespasser, Bainbridge remains a steadfast campaigner for countryside access.
There is also a chapter on the Kinder Scout mass trespass, examining the problematic legislation which existed in the 1930’s and the response by Benny Rothman and hundreds of other ramblers, who marched to ‘enforce their claims for access to beauty spots in the countryside.’ Parallels can be found with contemporary discussions around the right to roam and the huge importance of access to wild spaces.
What is possibly most inspiring, is reading about how passionately our predecessors felt about their rights to spend time walking and exploring the landscape around them. The changes in legislation which Bainbridge tracks in this book also convey a hope that things can change, and that people coming together and speaking up about their rights can make a difference.
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