Local people making their corner of rural Britain unique
This week
SaturdayÌý14 JulyÌý2007
This week, Richard Uridge is in Cheltenham, where he learns about a mass trespass that predated the famous right to roam protest of Kinder Scout.
In 1902 and 1906, around 2,000ÌýresidentsÌýfrom the Cheltenham area invaded Leckhampton Hill. Their grievance? The local quarry owner's decision to close downÌýaccess to the hill for recreation. This history, unknown to many, is explained to Richard by Julius Marstrand, former chairman of (Friends of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common), a community group that helps manage the area.Ìý
People, industry and bird life, have all had to learn to share the hill.ÌýRichard walks with geologist Dave Owens from the , who takes him on a trip back in time millions of years to explain how the limestone got to the area. Industrial archaeologist Dr. Ray WilsonÌýgives the real reason behind the area's most visible monument -- aÌýtowerÌýofÌýrock called the Devil's Chimney. ÌýFinally, Richard listens to theÌýsongs of the numerous birds who make the hill and nearby Charlton Kings Common their home and even gets a chance to glimpse the ellusive yellowhammer.
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