What is it?
The Kinder and High Peak Advisory Committee is a small independent group of representatives from a range of recreational groups and organisations on the National Trust's High Peak Estate. The Committee is not formally constituted but includes representation from the Rambler's Association - Manchester and Sheffield, the Peak and Northern Footpath Society, Peak District National Park Authority Rangers, The Woodcraft Folk, Kinder Mountain Rescue Team, BMC and the Sheffield Campaign for Access to Moorlands, YHA and several local people concerned with the estate.

The Committee has an informal advisory role, working with property staff on a voluntary basis to discuss and offer its advice, views and opinions on current issues at High Peak. The group looks in particular at access issues but also takes a great interest in the wider management and conservation of the Trust's land here. However, the Committee is independent from the Trust and the group's meetings acts as an important channel of communication between the Trust and representatives of people using the estate. The Trust welcomes and greatly appreciates this close link.

The Committee meets on a roughly quarterly basis at the High Peak Estate Office, Edale End plus occasional field or special meetings to discuss urgent isues.

History of the Committee
The Committee was initially established in December 1982 as the Kinder Advisory Committee when the Trust acquired Kinder Scout. At the time, there was some unease amongst rambling groups about the future of access on Kinder under the Trust's stewardship. With the well-known and long history of Kinder as the location of the 1932 Mass Trespass and as a focal point in the broader access movement's fight for the right to roam on Britain's hills and mountains, the area was seen as a precious and important place to defend open access. Kinder had been open country since 1954 following the introduction of access agreements with the newly formed Peak District National Park (1952). The access lobby therefore wanted to ensure close contact with the Trust to safeguard access. When the Trust acquired Kinder, it made a full commitment to safeguarding Kinder as open country forever, for everyone on foot. Its original members included Alan Bond (Chair), Benny Rothman (Secretary) who was one of the leaders of the 1932 Trespass, Les Meadowcroft (of the Peak and Northern Footpath Society) and Ron McLauglin (RA) .

In 1991, the Committee's role was expanded to cover the whole property and recognise the Estate's close links with Sheffield.

The Committee has made, and continues to make a significant impact on the Trust's stewardship of High Peak.

Please let us know if you have any comments. Occasionally vacancies arise on the Committee: If you would be interested in joining please let the High Peak Estate Office, tel: 01433 670368, know and we will pass comments / proposals to the Committee.