Biker vs Landowner #3

An altercation with David Masters at Lower Clapton Farm, Yarlington near Wincanton in Somerset.

David's grandmother Marlene is an enthusiastic anti-rights of way campaigner who helps people remove rights of way from their land. She fought for years to have a former RUPP removed from her land only for Somerset County Council reclassify the RoW as a BOAT. Her fight ended in the Royal Courts of Justice where her appeal against the definition of a Byway Open to All Traffic was dismissed - a fight which saw her literally 'bet the farm' using her own money.

The Judgement became an important part of RoW case law and is often just referred to as the 'Masters Case'.

Much can be read about Marlene Masters' fight by simply searching Google for her name, with various byways and bridleways associations publishing a lot about her during the late 1990s. A gentleman once told me that she was convicted of assault for pulling an elderly lady from her horse outside the farm though I cannot find anything to substantiate this.

This footage was shot in its entirety from the public right of way which passes through his family's property. As you can see (you'll need the sound right up if you want to hear!) he is angry enough to swear at and (try to) intimidate legal right of way users. The family also featured in the 1997 documentary 'Dangerous Walks' which can be found here:

   • Marlene & Nigel Masters Obstructing H...  

ST666278, 03.08.13.

Sources:

www.test.glass-uk.org/images/stories/members/mem-library/cases/masters.pdf

http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/Victo...

http://i.imgur.com/88SQkPn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fvPT4CR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3wUdCo7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Y5HYZLR.jpg

This footage has been used on BBC One's 'The One Show' and can (for now) be found online here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03pqb7z