the kinder mass trespass was one of a number of protests at the time seeking greater access to the moorlands of the northern peak district. what set it apart from the others was it marked a new and more radical approach to the problem which was not universally popular with rambling groups. the harshness of the sentences imposed on the leaders of the protest was headline news in local and national newspapers, resulting in the issue gaining public attention and sympathy. the subsequent access rally staged in winnats pass attracted 10,000 people to attend in support of greater access to the adjacent moorland.