Hundreds Right to Roam demonstrators mass trespass at Cirencester Park

Hundreds of ‘proper to roam’ protesters have gathered for a mass trespass demonstration at Cirencester Park in Gloucestershire right this moment, after the Bathurst Estate launched entry charges for the primary time in 326 years.

The historic park has been owned by the Bathurst household since 1695 and has all the time been free for the general public to enter.

But Lord Bathurst – an in depth good friend of King Charles who lives close by in Tetbury – claims he now must introduce costs to pay for the maintenance of the three,000-acre property.

Electric gates have been put in on the 4 fundamental entry factors requiring a cross to enter or a price of £4 a day. Regular guests pays £30 for an annual cross.

Access will likely be free to anybody dwelling within the native GL7 postcode however a £10 deposit will likely be charged for the entry card.

The plans have angered many native residents, who’ve loved unrestricted entry to the open area across the city for generations.

Today tons of of protesters gathered on the property grounds for a ‘proper to roam’ march to power the household to reverse this determination.

Catherine Forrester, 37, and Tom Jones, 41, moved to Stroud, Gloucestershire, seven years in the past and have been coming to the park ever since.

They have visited the park with their four-year-old son, Rowan, since he was a child and the protest was the primary time their daughter Rosa, 10 weeks outdated, visited the park.

Catherine, who runs an organisation providing peer help for moms, stated: ‘We’re down right here as a result of we really feel the park must be free for everybody.

‘I like being within the open area, it is vitally near the open-air swimming pool – it’s a pretty place to come back after a swim.’

Tom, who’s unemployed, added: ‘They have owned the park for tons of of years and promised individuals entry to it.

‘They spend some huge cash on the park and I feel they do not see funding in a park for individuals to take pleasure in being price spending cash on.

‘As taxpayers, we provide many beneficiant grants to land homeowners to help their land.

‘It isn’t that we’re not paying for the maintenance of the park already, we’re simply doing it in another way.’

Spike Collett, 69, an animal rights activist, has lived in Cirencester his complete life, accused the aristocrat homeowners of ‘cash grabbing’.

He stated: ‘It is all cash grabbing, why ought to anybody must pay to get in right here?

‘I’ve lived right here all my life, I’ve been coming right here all my life.

‘There are lots of people upset about it.

‘People will come to the city to spend their cash however they may now not come in the event that they must pay to enter the park.

‘My message to the homeowners is – get a life.’

A resident who would solely give his identify as Terrence, 73, stated charging for entry is an ‘insult’ to locals.

The former authorities employee stated: ‘I’ve lived right here my complete life.

‘We have been in a position to stroll by means of this park all these years.

‘It is expensive for pensioner individuals who must get out for psychological well being causes.

‘The household have all the time granted entry for the reason that park was established again in 1685 to have that withdrawn is an insult to the city people.

‘We have supported the household through the years however it is a slap within the face to the city.

‘It is not simply the city, it’s the guests too – now in the event that they wish to come out it’s at the very least £50 minimal.’

The scheme was as a consequence of go reside on Friday, March 15, however was postponed due to supply points with the passes.

Last Wednesday, a public assembly was hosted in Cirencester Ashcroft Church relating to the proposed modifications.

Bathurst Estate representatives had been invited to hitch the panel at this assembly however determined to ship the organiser a written assertion as a substitute.

The assertion stated: ‘We don’t obtain any public funding for Cirencester Park.

‘The price for guests from additional afield will contribute partly to the safety of the pure capital and wildlife inside this distinctive parkland now and for future generations to take pleasure in, together with the upkeep and maintenance of the customer services.

‘We perceive the significance of, and plenty of advantages of, with the ability to benefit from the pure atmosphere and the countryside.

‘The entry passes relate to the part of parkland round Cecily Hill, Windsor Walk, Queen Anne’s Monument and Pope’s Seat.

‘Over latest years we’ve launched further permissive walks by means of Hailey Wood.

‘These walks, along with the woodlands within the Sapperton Valley to the west of the property proceed to be accessible with no cross, subsequently nonetheless embrace many miles to roam.

‘We are unable to reply questions this night however could be very happy to take questions again to the property workforce and reply accordingly.’