Broadcaster, writer and journalist Stuart Maconie has been named as our new president.
The keen walker and advocate of walkers’ rights is well known for his weekday BBC6 Music show Radcliffe and Maconie, his books, including The Pie At Night: In Search of the North at Play and Never Mind the Quantocks and for having climbed all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District.
Here’s why Stuart’s looking forward to his role as president:
He said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been asked to be president of the Ramblers. It is not just a prestigious position, but one that will allow me to share some of my views, enthusiasms and passions with regard to our enjoyment of the outdoors.
“Like the originators of the movement and the organisation, I am a son of the industrial north and I both value and love the tranquility, uplift and adventure of walking in our beautiful country and also appreciated that our rights to enjoy it have been hard won and are never to be taken for granted.
“I hope to add my voice to those who seek to ensure the birthright that is free access to our open hills, moors, downs and wherever we put one foot in front of another for recreation.”
Stuart developed a love for walking during his time as deputy editor of the New Musical Express (NME), when he found walking to be an antidote to a busy life. Since then, he’s walked all 214 Wainwrights, completed the Hadrian’s Wall Path national trail and walked much of the South West Coast Path.
Vanessa Griffiths, chief executive said: “We are delighted that Stuart has been elected as our president. He is truly passionate about walking and walkers’ rights and we think he will be a great champion, not just for the Ramblers, but for walkers everywhere.”
Stuart was elected to the honorary position at our annual meeting (General Council) on Saturday (1 April 2017) in Southampton and hopes to use his presidency to encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors and get involved in protecting people’s rights to access the countryside.