CELEBRATIONS TINGED WITH SADNESS

Leicestershire & Rutland Area recently marked the passing of their last two presidents. On what would have been the 64th birthday of David Taylor M.P. their Coalville Group organised a day of walks to remember him. In a fortnight of heavy rains the sun shone down all day on Sunday August 22nd when 118 ramblers and local people gathered at Sence Valley Forest Park to take part in the David Taylor Memorial Walks. To accommodate the numbers, those doing the more ambitious 8 mile circular split into two crowds going in opposite directions whilst another 4 mile walk set off at the same time for friends and family, not regular walkers. The walkers included David’s widow Pam, their four daughters, grandchildren and the family dog Oscar. Also present were former colleagues from the County and District councils and members of Ramblers Area committee and other groups. David, up to his untimely death, had been President of the Coalville Group and also President of the Area. The walk took in countryside around his home village of Heather, within the developing National Forest. While passing through Heather Churchyard, many walkers took time out to pay their respects at David’s graveside. A collection on the day raised £265 cash for the British Heart Foundation with some personal donations and sponsorship still to follow. On the previous day, the National Forest had paid its own tribute to David – a staunch supporter – by unveiling a plaque at the tree previously planted in Heather by his family and friends in grateful recognition of David’s service to his community, the parliamentary constituency of North West Leicestershire and The National Forest. The Plaque read ‘Remembering David Leslie Taylor MP of Heather – 1946 – 2009’. The assembled family, friends and colleagues then moved on to nearby Ibstock where the Forestry Commission unveiled a sign to rename the former Coronet Copse as David Taylor Wood. David had succeeded Larry Ball as Area President when Larry had to step down after a lifetime of efforts on behalf of the Ramblers and Larry also passed away just before David. Larry had also been a keen champion of the National Forest and to mark his passing and to give thanks for his efforts, two walks were organised the following weekend also within the new Forest, as the Area’s contribution to the Ramblers ‘75 years’ celebration ‘Baton’ walks. A five mile morning walk culminated at Mt St. Bernard Abbey where a tree was planted in Larry’s memory with a plaque reading ‘This tree was planted by members of the Leicestershire & Rutland Ramblers Association to celebrate the life of their former President, Lt. Col Lawrence F. Ball (1920-2009)’ Attending amongst other members were the three Vice Presidents notwithstanding that one is nearer 90 than 80 and another had just come out of hospital after major heart surgery. Following this short ceremony, ramblers then set out on another 6 mile walk round this developing area within the National Forest. Full appreciations of both past presidents can be found on the Area website. htpp://leicsra.org.uk Roy Denney Area Chairman