General Election 2017: campaign toolkit

The future of access – campaign toolkitOur two priorities as part of this campaign are:

1. Asking people to join our call for increased access to woodland by signing our petition: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/forest

2. Seeking people’s thoughts on the future of access by asking people to take our survey: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/accesssurvey

The 6 November 2017 marks 800 years since the Charter of the Forest granted ordinary people the right to access royal forests. This was the first step in a campaign spanning centuries seeking the legal guarantee of freedom for people to explore our beautiful landscapes.

There have been many milestones in our journey to increase access since this seminal moment; the Kinder Mass Trespass, the creation of National Parks, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act, the Marine and Coastal Access Act, the opening of the Wales Coast Path, all of which have helped to increase the places people can walk. But we know there’s still a way to go, with many areas still out of bounds.

We’re using this anniversary to start a conversation about the future of access, building a base of supporters who will join us in championing the importance of access and echoing our calls for improved access to the countryside.

There are three things we are focusing on over the coming months and in order to reach as many people as possible, we need your help.

Help us call for increased access to woodland

A walk in the woods is one of life’s simple pleasures, but we know this isn’t always as simple as it sounds. Only 38% of woodland in England is available for people to fully explore, compared to a UK average of 50%. And much of this 38% doesn’t have a permanent right of access, meaning it could be closed off at any time.

We recently commissioned a YouGov survey which revealed that people in England are most interested in seeing increased access to woods and forests over other types of land, so we’re calling on people to sign our petition, which asks the government to improve access to woodland.

Please sign our petition and help us to spread the word.

Join in the nationwide conversation about the future of access

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General Election 2017: campaign toolkit

The Ramblers has been leading the way in opening up access to the countryside and we have come a very long way in the last 800 years, since land would have been reserved for the sole use of aristocracy.

It’s amazing to look back and see just how far we’ve come thanks to campaigning efforts and an overwhelming public will for opening up the countryside. But our job is not yet done.

On the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest, we’re looking forward – thinking about the opportunities there will be over the next 800 years to allow people to make the most of the great outdoors. This anniversary really brings to life the long history of the struggle for greater access to the countryside.

But what do people want for the next 800 years?

We’re kicking off a nationwide debate, gathering thoughts from everyone in order to help shape the future of access. Share your views and ask other people to share theirs by completing our survey.

Help more people enjoy their existing access rights

We know that some people don’t feel confident in where they can and can’t walk, and their rights and responsibilities while out walking.

To help, we’ve produced a guide to open access, giving people everything they need to be able to head out and confidently explore the countryside.

Please share this guide and encourage people to head out for a walk today!

What can my group do to help?

1. Help spread the word by speaking to people while out walking2. Share information on social media – from your personal accounts or group social

media accounts. We’ll be sharing videos of our president Stuart Maconie calling for people to get involved – please re-tweet or share these

3. If you have a group website, share information on there4. Support our calls through local media by sending a letter to the editor5. Take part in interviews with local media6. Help more people make the most of their existing access rights.

We’ve included lots of template text, social media posts and an interview briefing in the appendix to help.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the great access debate:

Follow us on twitter Follow us on Facebook

Got any other ideas?

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General Election 2017: campaign toolkit

This guide is just a starter for 10 – but we’re sure there are lots of other ways you could help champion the importance of access and enthuse people in your area to support our work increasing access to our landscapes. We encourage you to get creative – but don’t forget to let us know what you’re up to and share your great ideas with us so we can get more people involved in the great access debate.

Got questions?

Please get in touch by emailing campaigns@ramblers.org.uk.

APPENDIX

1. Template social media posts

We’ll be using the Ramblers GB social media accounts to talk about our campaign. Follow our lead and echo our messaging by using the suggested posts below. Not sure when to post them? Keep an eye on what we are doing nationally or email Ellie.Clewlow@ramblers.org.uk

Please download our shareable graphics saved in this zip folder.

Tweets:

Tweet Image

Can you go down to the woods today? Possibly not. Sign our petition to increase access to woodland. #WoodsForAll www.ramblers.org.uk/forest

Only 38% of woodland in England is available for people to fully explore. Help us call for more. #WoodsForAll www.ramblers.org.uk/forest

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General Election 2017: campaign toolkit

A walk in the woods is one of life’s simple pleasures. But can you walk in your local woods? #WoodsForAll www.ramblers.org.uk/forest

We’re thinking about what we want the next 800 years of access to look like. Share your thoughts #GreatAccessDebate www.ramblers.org.uk/accesssurvey

Love the great outdoors? We need your help to shape the future of access #GreatAccessDebate www.ramblers.org.uk/accesssurvey

Not sure of your rights to walk in open countryside? Download our guide so you can confidently explore. www.ramblers.org.uk/accessguide

Facebook posts:

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General Election 2017: campaign toolkit

Facebook post Image

Can you go down to the woods today? Possibly not. Sign our petition so everyone can enjoy a walk in the woods. #WoodsForAll www.ramblers.org.uk/forest

Only 38% of woodland in England is available for people to fully explore. We think a walk in the woods is one of life’s simple pleasures – something everyone should be able to enjoy. Help us call for better access to our woods. #WoodsForAll www.ramblers.org.uk/forest

800 years ago, in November 1217, the Charter of the Forest granted ordinary people the right to access royal forests. This was the first step in a campaign spanning centuries seeking the freedom for people to access our beautiful landscapes.

We’ve come a really long way in our access journey since then, but we need your help to shape the next 800 years of access. Share your thoughts today.

www.ramblers.org.uk/accesssurvey

Want to explore the countryside but not sure of your rights and responsibilities when using open access land? Download our guide today which gives you all the information you need to head out for a walk.

www.ramblers.org.uk/accessguide

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General Election 2017: campaign toolkit

2. Text for website

800 years on from the Charter of the Forest the Ramblers calls for improved access to woodland

Eight hundred years ago today (6 November 1217) the Charter of the Forest granted ordinary people the right to access royal forests. This was the first step in a campaign spanning centuries seeking the legal guarantee of freedom for people to access England’s beautiful landscapes.

So it may surprise you that today, only 38% of woodland in England is available for people to fully explore, compared to the UK average of 50%. And much of this 38% doesn’t have a permanent right of access, meaning it could be closed off at any time.

Recent research by the Ramblers revealed that people in England are most interested in seeing increased access to woods and forests over other types of land. In response, we’re asking people to sign our petition, which calls on the government to improve access to woodland.

Chief executive of the Ramblers, Vanessa Griffiths said: “The Ramblers has been leading the way in opening up access to the countryside for everyone, and we’ve come such a long way from the times when land would be reserved for the sole use of aristocracy.

“Until the year 2000, although blessed with stunning countryside in England and Wales, much of our land was closed off, even to those living on its doorstep. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act revolutionised this, opening up more than a million hectares for everyone to enjoy. Now we have the right to walk over many areas of mountain, moorland, heathland and down and common land, a right that people treasure.

“But what next? We know how people love to wander through their local woodlands, enjoying the peace and beauty, but not everyone has access to enjoy these simple pleasures. And, although the government pledged in 2013 to increase access to woodland, very little progress has been made. With compelling evidence that a walk in the woods can do wonders for wellbeing, we want to see this change.”

Walking in woodland has many proven benefits on health and wellbeing. Research shows that spending time in woodland has a positive impact on mental wellbeing and is an effective way of reducing stress. There’s also evidence to show that people feel more healthy and energetic when spending time in woodlands.

If you believe that everyone should be able to enjoy a walk in the woods, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/forest to sign our petition.

3. Template letter to editor

Dear Sir/To the Editor (check your local paper to see how this should be addressed)

I am supporting the Ramblers call for increased access to woodland.

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General Election 2017: campaign toolkit

A walk in the woods is one of life’s simple pleasures and something everyone should be able to enjoy. With only 38% of England’s woodland available for people to fully explore, we believe this should be improved.

[add in any information about local woodland – any that has good access, or any that is very restricted but where you would like to be able to walk]

I urge others to sign the Ramblers petition, which calls on the government to improve access to woodland. www.ramblers.org.uk/forest.

[NameAddress]

4. Interview brief

Key messages

Eight hundred years ago today (6 November 1217) the Charter of the Forest granted ordinary people the right to access royal forests.

This was the first step in a campaign spanning centuries seeking the legal guarantee of freedom for people to access England’s beautiful landscapes.

So it may surprise you that today only 38%i of woodland in England is available for people to fully explore and much of this doesn’t have a permanent right of access, meaning it could be closed off at any time.

Our recent research revealed that people in England are most interested in seeing increased access to woods and forests over other types of land.

That’s why we’re calling on the government to improve access to woodland. Visit our website and sign our petition today.

Why woods?

A walk in the woods is one of life’s simple pleasures – especially at this time of the year. But the benefits extend far beyond just enjoying your surroundings.

Research shows that spending time in woodland has a positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing, can reduce stress and boost health and energy levels.

In the year 2000 an act was passed that revolutionised the way we can access the countryside, opening up more than a million hectares for everyone to enjoy. But at that time it wasn’t possible to include woodland in this act. In 2013 the government recognised the importance of people being able to access woodland and pledged to increase access. But little progress has been made since.

We believe everyone should be able to enjoy a walk in the woods, so we’re asking people to sign our petition. Visit our website to find out more.

The future of access

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General Election 2017: campaign toolkit

There have been many milestones in the journey to increase access since the Charter of the Forest:

Kinder Mass Trespass creation of National Parks Countryside and Rights of Way Act Land Reform (Scotland) Act Marine and Coastal Access Act Opening of the Wales Coast Path

But with many areas still out of bounds, we know there’s still a way to go.

On the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest, we’re thinking about the opportunities there will be over the next 800 years to allow people to make the most of the great outdoors.

This anniversary brings to life the long history of the struggle for greater access to the countryside. But what do we want for the next 800 years?

Now is the time to help shape the future of access by sharing your views with us. Visit our website to find out more.

Call to action

Sign our petition calling for increased access to woodland so everyone can enjoy a walk in the woods

Help us shape the next 800 years of access by sharing your views on the future of access – fill out our survey.

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i 38% of English woodland was identified as being publicly accessible, compared to the UK average of 50%. The Woodland Trust, Woods for People, 2014