Sir Martin Doughty

Chair of Natural England

Sir Martin described the moorlands, such as Kinder Scout and Bleaklow, as rarer in global terms than tropical rain forest. Natural England sees these uplands as hugely important.

Farmers used to be given perverse incentives. The National Trust have taken 38,000 sheep off Kinder Scout and are working to re-vegetate this unique habitat. Natural England will provide agri-environment payments to give incentives for uplands to be managed in the right way.

Sir Martin said he would like to think that Benny and the Mass Trespassers would approve of what is going on now, but it took a long time – 75 years.

>> View Video of Martin's Speech

David Miliband

Secretary of State for the Environment

David described his naming of a train as a humbling moment, as seen in the many benefits for the generations succeeding Benny Rothman. It is a testimony to the power of popular pressure and government to make a difference to people’s lives.

The tradition of moral reform – ‘Here’s an injustice, let’s sort it out’ – is embodied in the actions of the Trespassers.

Land is a public good that we should all be able to enjoy. When given responsibility people act in a responsible way.

We honour the legacy of the Trespass through freedom of access to coasts.

>> View Video of David's Speech

Tony Hams

Chair of the Peak District NPA

On behalf of the Peak District National Park Authority, Tom praised and thanked the 1932 trespassers for their bravery and foresight – without them there may not have been National Parks, with open access moorland.

Today there are concerns about illegal quarrying and a bypass across the sensitive protected moorlands.

This Park, these moors and access to them, are part of our heritage, our culture, our spiritual, historical and physical well-being – thanks to the Trespassers of 1932 we have been given the opportunity, the duty and the privilege to continue to fight on the key issues.

>> View Video of Tony's Speech

Lord Roy Hattersley

President of Friends of the Peak District

Lord Hattersley called the trespass “the most sucessful direct action in British history”.

He recalled how he used to catch the 101 tram from Hillsborough to get out to Fox House as a lad to walk in the Peak.

He added: “If it was not for the trespass, we would not have the right to roam, nor the right to cherish, love and enjoy the Peak District hills.”

Kate Ashbrook

Chair of Ramblers’ Association

Kate paid tribute to the work of SCAM (Sheffield Campaign for Access to Moorland) and people like Irene and John Bunting from Sheffield - both in their 90s and present at the celebrations.

She mentioned Barbara Castle’s plea to the 70th anniversary celebrations to “grasp the future”.

She said that there were still some things in the CROW Act which were not perfect, including the still unclear situation on semi-improved chalk grasslands in the south of England.

Jim Perrin

Writer, access activist and friend of Benny Rothman

Jim gave an impassioned speech referring to the fact that the southern Pennines were “ramparts of paradise” to the workers of Manchester and Sheffield.

His friend Benny Rothman was “a playful, wise and humorous man, but there was also a seriousness about him.” He was the “father of the outdoor movement”.

Our land, he added, should only be entrusted to those who had the most care for it and would do it the least harm.