How a lifelong rambler will help to protect our beautiful countryside around Harborough

A lifelong rambler is vowing to protect the Great Outdoors after taking up a key position in Market Harborough for an historic conservation group.

Devoted walker Peter Pollak, 75, is delighted after being appointed the correspondent for the entire Harborough district for the Open Spaces Society.

The high-profile organisation, a leading pressure-group for the defence of paths and green spaces, was founded in 1865 and is Britain’s oldest national conservation body.

“I am thrilled to be taking up this volunteer post with the Open Spaces Society.

“You can rest assured that I’ll be keeping a close eye on our paths, commons, greens and other open spaces,” said Peter, of Farndon Fields, Market Harborough.

“We are very fortunate here in Harborough.

“We have got hundreds of miles of stunning bridleways, trails, country paths and rights of way criss-crossing our beautiful neck of the woods.

“And I’ll be fighting day and night to protect them – not just for us but for our children and grandchildren as well.

“I’ll be the first to intervene and put my head above the parapet if and when our glorious open spaces are threatened.”

Peter carved out a successful career as an engineer surveyor for the insurance business.

“I carried out many many surveys of local-authority owned parks and open spaces.

“They gave me the chance to nurture and develop an early interest in public rights of way, commons and green spaces,” said Peter.

“Through my job I developed a rapport with land-managers and councillors at all levels – and I’ve always loved walking and getting out to explore our Great Outdoors.”

After living in Northamptonshire for many years, Peter, who retired in 2006, moved to Market Harborough.

He is still an active member of the Ramblers’ Northamptonshire Area and served on the Northampton Group’s committee in almost every capacity.

“Market Harborough was identified by the Government as being suitable for further expansion – so an extra 5,000 properties are to be built here over the next 20 years.

“Current planning applications in force by various developers indicate that numerous public paths are going to be built over without diversions having been agreed in advance - contrary to law and guidance,” warned Peter.

“Since I moved to Market Harborough I have actively campaigned against these closures and diversions - and have succeeded in persuading some developers to seek an early solution.

“Now I shall be able to do this on behalf of the Open Spaces Society, making a stronger voice in defence of paths and open spaces.

“I strongly believe that access to open countryside, including commons and open spaces, should be enjoyed by all, and for generations to come.

“This has become even more urgent and vital this year as we’ve all had to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Hundreds of thousands of people have loved getting out into our countryside – many for the first time – since this crisis began back in March.

“It’s critical for our mental well-being as well as our physical health that we get out to make the most of our open spaces – even in the winter,” stressed Peter.

“As the Harborough correspondent for the Open Spaces Society I am proud to be carrying out this crucial work on behalf of the national organisation.”

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, told the Mail: “We are delighted to welcome Peter as our Harborough correspondent.

“Peter’s vast experience and huge enthusiasm will be of great value to us in defending the threatened paths and spaces in an area which is undergoing rapid development.

“He will demonstrate to developers that they ignore these assets at their peril.”

Set up 155 years ago in Victorian Britain, the Open Spaces Society battles and campaigns to protect common land, village greens, open spaces and public paths and people’s right to enjoy them.