On the initiative of a number of people concerned about the increased use
of the motor car on the footpaths in the countryside around Oxford, a meeting
was held on 26th January 1926 'to form a Society for the preservation of
Footpaths, Bridlepaths and Commons in the neighbourhood of Oxford'.
The Society duly came into being and, over the years, has worked constantly
to protect and improve the public rights of way throughout the county of
Oxfordshire. Today, over 80 years later, the Society faces problems similar
to those in 1926 but in many ways much more acute. This is the result of
construction of new roads, industrial and housing developments and intensive
farming.