Saturday 21st January 2023
A talk by Liz Bonsall & Madeline Hutchins
Celebrating the achievements of Chaldon residents 100 years ago in protecting local rights of way and putting this in context with the history of tracks and paths.
Drawing on the minutes of meetings and other records to learn about the work in 1920-3 by Martin Coles Harman and others to establish the network of rights of way in Chaldon shown on the postcard map (above).
A look back to Anglo-Saxon times and through the ages since to establish when and why Chaldon’s tracks and paths were established. Comparing maps through the ages to see the development of new paths and the loss of old.
19th and 20th century national initiatives to protect rights of way including the 1949 Countryside Act and the Definitive Maps.
There was a great turnout for this talk and a high level of interest in the material. Minutes and documents from the 1920s were available to be looked through and there were various maps on display. All those attending were given a 1970s version of the map postcard.
£148 was given to the Friends of Chaldon Church from the proceeds (after costs).
