240 year old petition discovered

When the residents of Fell End, near Ravenstonedale launched an e-petition to the Secretary of State for the Environment against a proposal by Natural England to erect a fence on Greenriggs Common they were unaware that they were following in the exact same footsteps of their forefathers  240 years previously.

Since the launch of the e-petition the existence of the historic petition, which is not dated but is considered to be around 1770, has been brought to light.   Written on parchment, the ancient document is addressed to the House of Lords and signed by 91 landowners from the Parish of Ravenstonedale against a proposal to enclose common land.

Local campaigner Libby Bateman said, “I was explaining the process of an e-petition to a friend who is in her 90s when she offered a casual comment about a previous petition in the 1700’s.  To be honest I thought that she must had been confused but thought it worth investigating.

“I asked around at the local history society but nobody knew anything about it, I then asked a friend who has an interest in local history and she offered to do some research on the matter.  She then came back with two document reference numbers at Kendal Archive office.

“The best I hoped for was to find some official reference to the petition, so you can imagine my delight when I visited the archives office and found the actual document written on parchment.

“This is a really important find for our campaign, as it was the power of the people that prevented the common from being enclosed 240 years ago, which is why Ravenstonedale common was never enclosed; something that is celebrated today as it makes our area so enjoyable for recreational activities and attracts visitors to the area.  We have a duty to continue the wishes of our forefathers and protect the openness of our common land for generations to come.”

Local Historian Ann Sandell said, “I was delighted to be able to help.  It must have been quite something for the commoners of the past to go up against the landowners of the day and prevent the enclosure.  We certainly all need to stand up for what we believe to be right.”

Photographs of the petition have been submitted to the local archives held by Ravenstonedale History Society at the High Chapel Heritatge Centre.