United Kingdom

Hundreds joined a mass trespass to protest against new charges for the public to use Cirencester Park, one of the country’s largest open green spaces.

Cirencester Park, in the Cotswolds, spans more than 3,000 acres and has been free for members of the public to use for 326 years.

But Lord Bathurst, whose family has owned the land since 1695, says fees must now be introduced to cover the cost of maintaining the land and new facilities.

Adults are now charged £4, while those living in Cirencester or in nearby villages can pay a £10 deposit to access the park indefinitely.

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John Moses, organiser of campaign group Right To Roam, said the park land was bought by Benjamin Bathurst with profits from the transatlantic slave trade.

Mr Moses said a price had been already paid for the park over the years, including by the slave trade, lost local transport links, and government agricultural subsidies.

“All that has been asked in return for these multiple extractions is that the park remain what it has always been – a community space, an open space, a free space available to everyone,” he said.

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“Our simple message to the Bathurst Estate is this: If the Bathurst Estate cannot continue to meet its obligations to the park, and there is no room in their annual accounts for its maintenance, then fine, we accept, we’ll take it.

“Please, by all means, give it back.”