NEWS LANDMARK RULING:
DARTMOOR WIN! T
Court of Appeal Grants Right to Backpack Camping on Dartmoor's Common Land
he BMC welcomes the decision to overturn the controversial ruling that made camping illegal on Dartmoor without landowner permission. The legal dispute centred on the interpretation of the Dartmoor Commons Act that regulates
access to moorland, and whether wild camping counts as ‘open- air recreation’. Following the controversial decision in the High Court which ruled in favour of a wealthy landowner and concluded that there was not “a right to wild camp without permission”, the Dartmoor National Park Association appealed.
The case returned to the Court of Appeal on 18 July 2023 and more evidence was presented with the Open Spaces Society being granted leave to intervene. The judge Sir Geoffrey Vos concluded: ‘In my judgment, on its true construction, section 10(1) of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 confers on members of the public the right to rest or sleep on the Dartmoor commons, whether by day or night and whether in a tent or otherwise …’.
The BMC’s vision of wild camping is that people should have the freedom to choose where to camp, in a self- sufficient and environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Following this judgment Dartmoor remains one of the only places in England where there is a right to backpack camping without the landowner’s permission.
Dr Catherine Flitcroft, BMC Access Policy Officer, said: “This is a landmark victory for public access. The Darwall's court case sparked a huge backlash and has thrown a much needed spotlight on wider access rights to all our green and blue spaces.
“With renewed political will and strong lobbying, I am optimistic this is just the beginning of new, responsible access rights so we can all benefit.”
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BMC'S YOUTH CLUB PROGRAMME SEEKS PILOT
CLUBS FOR POSITIVE IMPACT The BMC Youth Club Programme is designed to support climbing, walking and mountaineering clubs that provide opportunities for young people to participate in child- centred, supportive and enjoyable environments. As this is a new venture for the BMC, it is initially being launched as a pilot programme. This means that only a small number of clubs will be accepted in the first phase to work with a selection of BMC staff members so that we can learn more about whether this new programme meets the needs of the clubs and how the clubs benefit from working with us.
Key advantages of becoming a pilot club include: • Bespoke support for your club • Support with developing your coaches, instructors and volunteers • Input in to the future of BMC Youth Clubs
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BMC WOMEN IN ADVENTURE COMPETITION TO BE HOSTED AT
KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2023 Switch on your cameras and get ready – this is for anyone with a story to tell or a cause to share, capture your adventure on film and help keep the cycle of inspiration rolling as the competition heads into its ninth year.
F
or the first time, the BMC will be hosting the Awards Ceremony and a special Film Screening for the BMC Women In Adventure Film Competition over the Festival weekend this November. The winners will be announced during this session and attendees will have a chance to hear from them about their incredible adventures.
Founded in 2014, the BMC Women in Adventure film competition is dedicated to promoting gender equality in adventure filmmaking and showcasing the inspiring stories of women adventurers from around the world. The competition is open to filmmakers of all levels of experience, and aims to provide a platform for female voices in the adventure film industry. Alex West, BMC Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said: “Kendal Mountain Festival is now widely recognised as one of the main annual events for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK and with its strong international reputation, we’re thrilled to be bringing the BMC Women In Adventure film Competition to the festival in 2023. “Now in its ninth year, this competition is a vital platform for female adventurers to showcase their stories and inspire other women to pursue their own outdoor challenges, helping to create more inclusive and diverse spaces in the adventure world.”
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8 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.
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