'Councillors and MPs put right' by fighter for justice

TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Somerset grandmother who ‘put councillors and MPs right’ Marlene Masters-Harding died peacefully at the age of 87 after a life of passion for truth and justice.

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Born in Bristol, she moved to Somerset aged 16 - and never returned.

She married a local farmer and had three children, and was a grandmother to five grandchildren and great grand-children.

Marlene was a self-taught expert in right of ways law. She had the acumen of a barrister and during her 30 plus years working on this topic she was an advisor to many across the county and country.

“My mother’s cause was really to make sure that the law was followed,” her daughter Judy said. “It wasn't about class but about whether it was right or not.

“Marlene’s knowledge of footpaths, rights of way and different laws relating to land access is well known in many barristers and judge’s chambers - she has consulted with them, challenged them and worked alongside them. On many occasions she has had long and complicated discussions with MP's and councillors ‘putting them right on a point of law’.

“She has been a litigant in person in the High Court three times with the judge in one case acknowledging her ability, she acted as litigant in person in judicial review against the Secretary of State for the notorious Peppard case, and her knowledge of the law and her experience in interpreting historical documents has enabled her to act as a Representative for landowners in Public Inquiries.”