Papers relating to Sixsmith's talk on the English countryside

Scope and Content

This small series consists of notes, manuscript drafts and one typescript draft of different versions of a talk by Sixsmith on the changing nature of the English countryside, in which he discussed the increased use of motor vehicles, road building, pollution, urbanization, and ribbon development. He stressed the need to be aware of the dangers to the countryside, and to plan, care for and manage it. Adapted versions of the talk were given on various occasions. Includes: 19 pages of notes for the talk (3/1); a 15-page manuscript draft of the talk (3/2); a 5-page manuscript report on a meeting of the Bolton Field Naturalists, at which Sixsmith gave a version of the talk, entitled 'Shall England's beauty perish; a plea for the countryside', which is summarised here (3/3); a 10-page manuscript draft of the same countryside speech, here headed 'for Chorley Rotary Club' on 12 Mar 1934 (3/4); and a 6-page annotated typescript draft of another version of the speech, in which Sixsmith stresses the responsibilities held by himself and others as Rural District Councillors (3/5).