Last weekend marked the 93rd anniversary of the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass, with events across the UK celebrating the right to roam and swim. Walkers and swimmers gathered at Kinder and Chew Valley Reservoir, supported by Alpkit and partners like Right to Roam and the Outdoor Swimming Society.
Last weekend marked the 93rd anniversary of Kinder Scout Mass Trespass. From Hayfield to Bristol, to local swim spots, people gathered to swim and walk together.
At Alpkit, we firmly believe in the benefits that the outdoors brings to all, and loved being part of and supporting the Trespass and Right to Swim.
On Kinder, the location of the original mass trespass in 1932, walkers and swimmers set off from Hayfield under clear blue skies. Organised by the Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group, Right to Roam and The Outdoor Swimming Society the gathering commemorated the 93rd anniversary of the Kinder Trespass, a landmark event that sparked a movement to expand public access to land for recreation and enjoyment.
Alpkit Hathersage store manager Adam was on the ground and shares his thoughts from the day, "Having 500 to 600 people marching up to Kinder reservoir showed the passion in the people to keep this fight going and fight for change. There is still room for improvement and change and this weekend was a fine example of celebrating ideas and actions that could improve access further. It is great Alpkit is committed to always be a part of something so important with the outdoors."
The event was mirrored in Somerset with outdoor swimmers escaping the spring heat and taking the plunge into the Chew Valley Reservoir.
In collaboration with the Outdoor Swimming Society our Bristol store was in the heat of the action, organising buses to shuttle swimmers from Bristol to the reservoir.
The good weather wasn't limited to the Peak District. Alpkit Bristol assistant manager Charlie organised the buses, "The day itself was lovely as the weather was absolutely beautiful and the water was like a mirror. I had driven past the spot a few days earlier and thought to myself, why would you want to swim in that, it's choppier than the North Sea, but boy how I felt like I'd have to eat my neoprene hat."
We don't know if he did eat his hat, and we certainly would not advise it, but Charlie did make sure everyone got to the waterside "There wasn't an empty seat on the minibuses. We had the shop doors open at 9 with pastries and coffee and the buses left just after 10 to head to the lake."
Our mini buses were full of swimmers with a range of experience from those just there to dip their toe in to a synchronised swimming troop!
Charlie continues, "Once unloaded it was straight to business as a Bristol Water Ranger warned swimmers about the dangers of swimming in the reservoir. This was followed by Kate Rew and Jonny Palmer putting people fears to rest, talking through water safety, how to check safe levels and the condition of the water. The duo also went deeper into the importance health benefits of wild swimming and also sharing other great spots around the area."
The actions of a few in the 1930's have lead to positive change within the UK landscapes and access to them. The Kinder Mass Trespass weekend was a friendly, inviting protest to keep the Right to Roam dream alive. Now with the addition of the Right to Swim campaign we believe this activist movement can bring change.
We would like to thank everyone who took part in this years events and expressed their rights to roam. To name check just a few who made this happen; Dave Toft from the Kinder Trespass Group, Jess Day at Right to Roam and Kate Rew from the Outdoor Swimming Society.