From a collection of 300 rambling clubs and 1,200 individual members at its inception in 1935, the Ramblers has grown to more than 124,000 members and 800 affiliated groups today – but its mission remains the same. For 75 years it has campaigned locally and nationally to promote walking and improve conditions for all walkers in Britain, whether it be lobbying for a change in legislation or laying on one of its 28,000 volunteer-led walks each year. Over the coming weeks, walk will be publishing a series of 75th anniversary features from the Summer 2010 issue. To start, we present a brief history of the charity and take a fond look back at some of the visual materials produced over the years, including Rucksack – the forebear of walk! (Click on any image above to view larger and start the slideshow)

A brief history of Ramblers

1935    The Ramblers’ Association is founded after the National Council of Ramblers’ Federations agrees to change its name.
1941    The Ramblers submit proposals to Government for long-distance paths and national parks.
1947    The Hobhouse Committee sets out plans for 12 national parks in England and Wales.
1948    Tom Stephenson is appointed as the Ramblers’ first full-time secretary.
1949    The National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act lays the foundations for modern countryside protection and access.
1951    The Peak District becomes Britain’s first National Park, and the Ramblers establishes its first group in Croydon.
1958    The Ramblers persuade Ordnance Survey to show rights of way on its walkers’ maps.

1965    The Pennine Way (above) becomes Britain’s first national trail.
1967    Ramblers Scotland is established north of the border.
1968    The Countryside Act requires local councils to signpost their rights of way.
1971    A local Ramblers’ campaign defeats a reservoir plan to flood Farndale in North Yorkshire.
1973    Ramblers’ vice-president David Sharp proposes the Thames Path National Trail (below).

1974    Ramblers Cymru is launched as the representative body for walkers in Wales.
1980    Ramblers wins court ruling clarifying the law on how new development affects rights of way.
1981    The Wildlife & Countryside Act retains a right of appeal against path closures and diversions, following Ramblers’ campaigning.
1987    The first Family Rambling Day promotes walking to a wider range of people.
1989    The Water Act secures access safeguards over privatised water authority land following a Ramblers’ campaign.
1990    Ramblers work with Edward Leigh MP to regulate footpath ploughing and cropping in the Rights of Way Act.
1991    A footpath rationalisation scheme proposed by Hereford and Worcester County Council is defeated by the Ramblers.
1993    Ramblers Wales launch Lonc a Chlonc – one of Britain’s first healthy walking projects.
1994    The Government abandons Forestry Commission privatisation after lobbying by Ramblers.
1995    The first Ramblers’ group for people in their 20s and 30s is set up in North Wales.
2000    The Countryside & Rights of Way Act delivers the right to roam in England and Wales; the National Parks (Scotland) Act paves the way for National Parks north of the border.
2000    Ramblers successfully prosecute notorious landlord Nicholas van Hoogstraten for blocking a footpath on his East Sussex estate.
2001    An epidemic of foot and mouth disease closes Britain’s rights of way and demonstrates the value of walking to the rural economy.
2002    Loch Lomond (below) and the Trossachs becomes Scotland’s first national park.

2003    The Land Reform (Scotland) Act delivers world class access for Scottish walkers.
2004    Ramblers pressure leads to the creation of a safe road crossing under the A404 at Bisham, in Berkshire.
2005    Open access areas are fully rolled out across England and Wales.
2006    The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act restricts motor vehicles on byways following Ramblers’ campaigning.
2006    The popular Chimney Steps on the cliffs at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, are repaired and re-opened after Ramblers’ court action
2007    Ramblers win a Law Lords ruling against ‘secret’ evidence in rights of way claims.
2009    Marine & Coastal Access Act passed promising a continuous path around England’s coast.
2010    Designation of the South Downs National Park (below*) completes the list drawn up in 1947.

For more about the history of the Ramblers and its antecedents, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/aboutus/history

*South Downs image shows the view from Shoulder of Mutton Hill near Petersfield part of the Western Weald, currently excluded from the South Downs National Park. Photo by Paul Glendell.