DAVID BAILEY (1944-2024)

It is with great sadness that we report the passing in June of our former Chairman, David Bailey.  In his youth, David was a keen cyclist but walking had always been a real passion.  He had been on many walking holidays in his time. He just loved walking be it in the Chiltern Hills, on the Thames Path or in more adventurous climes such as the mountains of Nepal and the wilds of Patagonia. 

David joined East Berks Ramblers in September 2002 and made a significant contribution to our group over more than 20 years.  He joined the East Berks Committee in 2004 and served in varying roles including Publications Marketing Officer, Shows Organiser, and latterly (2012-2017) as Chair. He also organised eight group UK Autumn holidays between 2012 and 2019 including visits to the Yorkshire Dales, Sidmouth, Llangollen and Malvern. 

 In addition to manning the Ramblers Gazebo at shows and regattas selling our “Rambling for Pleasure” books and encouraging people to try rambling, he was a prolific walks leader and continued leading walks until 2023. He led both longer and shorter walks and what we call “Strollathons”; anything to help fill the walks programme. He was always willing to swap dates to fit in with other leaders' demands. In recognition of his contribution and dedication in leading many hundreds of walks for our group, he was presented with a Long Service Walks Leader award at our AGM in November 2023. Last autumn he led one last walk, a favourite of his, from Maidensgrove Common, which was fittingly the first walk he ever led.

Despite his failing health, David continued walking with East Berks until only a few weeks before his death.

He was a kindly, gentle man, always good for a friendly chat on our walks and in the pub afterwards!  He was a very popular member of the group and will be much missed by all his friends in East Berks Ramblers.  

Liz Richardson, Group Secretary, East Berks Ramblers