Tim Taylor – Page 9 – The Rucksack Club

Gordon Adshead’s Funeral Thursday 31st August 2023

17th August 2023 Tim Taylor Archived

Carole Smithies writes: I can now confirm the full details. The funeral will take place at St Chad’s Church Wilmslow Road, Handforth SK9 3ES on Thursday 31st August at 1115. This will be followed by a Wake which will be held at the Best Western Pinewood Hotel, 180 Wilmslow Road Handforth SK9 3LF. There is very little parking at the church, so the family have asked us to park at the hotel if at all possible, and then to walk to the church, [0.5 miles, 7/8 minutes]. We are of course welcome to drop people off at the church before we park up. If you haven’t already done so, please let me know if you will be at the funeral and/or wake, so I can let the family have final numbers. Contact details in Handbook.

Gordon Adshead – Funeral Arrangements

10th August 2023 Tim Taylor Archived

Carole Smithies writes: Gordon Adshead’s funeral will take place at St Chad’s Church, Wilmslow Road, Handforth SK9 3ES on Thursday 31st August at 11:15. I will let you have the details of the Wake a little later. Please, let me know if you will be at the funeral and/or the get-together, so I can let the family know. Contact details in Handbook. And sorry, I must correct my earlier announcement. Gordon was President in 1988-89, not 1998-99.

Sir Malcolm Williamson

6th August 2023 Tim Taylor Archived

Carole Smithies writes: We have just heard that Sir Malcolm Williamson who joined the Club in 1960 died on the 25th April this year. A celebration of his life was held in London on the 23rd June. Malcom moved to London shortly after he joined and served on the London Section Committee in 1967. He worked in finance and was President and CEO of Visa International 1998 to 2004. He was knighted by the Queen in 2007.

Gordon Adshead

6th August 2023 Tim Taylor Archived

Carole Smithies writes: Sad news. I am sorry to say our Honorary Member, Gordon Adshead passed away on Thursday the 3rd August. Gordon joined the Cub in 1965, and served as Treasurer from 1975 to 1987, Secretary from 1992 to 1997. He was our President in 1988 and 1989. I will post details of his funeral as soon as I have them.

A Dip into the Club Journals – 1963 – Ralph Jones, And No Birds Fly

31st July 2023 Tim Taylor Classic Journal Articles, Featured Meets

This month’s journal article is from sixty years ago, Ralph Jones’ account of the joint AC and SMC expedition to the Pamirs in Soviet Russia (at the time). Noted for the tragic accident and deaths of Wilford Noyce and the young Edinburgh climber Robin Smith. What could he have achieved? Interesting views on the mass alpine style approach of the Russians compared to the siege tactics of the UK group. It was a difficult choice this month, and a word for the other contending article, Len Stubbs’ account of a Three Peaks attempt in an unreliable car, before motorways, in poor weather and apparently fuelled by cigarettes, tea and toast! Read the Pamirs article here and others in the 1963 Journal in the archive section of the website here.

On The Hill With … John Patrick

23rd July 2023 Tim Taylor Featured Meets, On the hill with

Welcome to “On the hill with…” a series of short interviews with members of the Rucksack Club. This edition features our current hut warden of Craigallan, John Patrick. How did you get into walking and climbing? Growing up in Sheffield allowed easy access to the Peak District and family walks were my first experiences amongst the hills. Joining a local Scout group led to more adventurous exploits involving camping trips further afield to the Lake District. The equipment available to the Scouts included not only camping gear but ropes. This was available for loan with no questions asked and certainly no Health and Safety precautions. Along with a group of school friends, I borrowed a rope and we invested the proceeds of Saturday jobs in other climbing gear. We often caught the bus out of Sheffield as far west as possible then continued walking until we reached Stanage. After A levels a group of four of us had a post exam celebration by spending a week climbing whilst living in the somewhat basic accommodation provided by Robin Hood’s Cave. University time in Nottingham provided more opportunities with weekends in Lake District and Welsh Huts. I became enthused about the chance[…]

A Dip into the Club Journals – 1983 – Mike Cudahy, The Pennine Way in Three Days and Five Years

31st May 2023 Tim Taylor Classic Journal Articles, Featured Meets

Just in time for this month’s Dip Into The Club Journals – it’s 1983 and Mike Cudahy’s account of his five year campaign to complete the Pennine Way in under three days. Here’s a link to the article The Pennine Way in Three Days and Five Years Mike’s record was bettered by Mike Hartley in 1989 and this record stood for 31 years. Mike Hartley touches on this in his On The Hill With, here’s a link OTHW – Mike Hartley

Corran Ferry News

10th May 2023 Tim Taylor Featured Meets

John Patrick, warden of Craigallan, writes: Corran Ferry Following a recent stay at Craigallan Chris Dodd has sent helpful information about the long term problem affecting the Corran Ferry. Anyone visiting Western Scotland might like to be aware that there is currently no vehicle ferry to Ardgour. Changes and updates can be found on The Highland Council website. It now sounds as though the relief vessel is no longer operating, there is a shuttle bus service – https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20024/corran_ferry/812/corran_ferry_timetable_and_fares

Peter Greenaway, Funeral Arrangements

23rd March 2023 Tim Taylor Featured Meets

Carole Smithies writes: Peter Greenaway, who joined the Club in 1963, passed away on Sunday 19th February. His funeral will now take place on Thursday 8th June with a Service at: All Saints Church Fulham, London SW6 3LA at 4pm, followed by: afternoon tea/drinks at the Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, London SW6 3PR. Please, let me know if you intend to go, so I can let the family know. Contact details in Handbook.

John Maguire

21st March 2023 Tim Taylor Featured Meets

Carole Smithies writes: We have just been informed that John Maguire who joined the Club in 1963,died on the 6th of September last year. In 2021, John published First Poems at last, a book of poems which reflected a lifetime’s passion for mountains and remote places, [see Meetstaff April 2022 p32].