Dara Dastur

Recently Dara, the much respected and valued walks leader, died. A walk and lunch in Slayley took  take place on May 20th 2017. Click this link for information on this event.

Sheila Jeffreys has written this account of his life.

As well as the walk and meal at Slaley on 20th May, there was also an opportunity to donate to the Woodland Trust, a charity which Dara supported. Together with contributions from many who were unable to attend the event, including his family and Margaret his widow, we have donated £375 to the Woodland Trust. This will dedicate a quarter acre site in Hedley Hall Wood near Beamish in his memory. While no specific site will be designated, no further dedications will be allowed within the wood.  Full details of access, type of woodland etc are on the WT's web-site.

A short dedication message has been composed and copies sent to his  two brothers in the USA and Margaret, his widow. Because of the constraints of the format (6 lines of 35 spaces), it was only possible to give a brief summary of Dara's life in this area and his pleasure in, and enthusiasm for, the English countryside. It reads as follows:

DARA DASTUR 1939-2017 a Parsi from
Bombay, then in Durham area for 28
years walking  and leading walks for
the Ramblers and Durham County
Rangers. As you walk and enjoy this
wood, remember him with affection.

 

Commemorative Walk One of the Durham County Rangers (also a member of the Ramblers) has offered to lead a 6.5 mile walk starting from the CP (NZ 216 565, NE16 5EQ) on Saturday 16th September, starting at 10:30 a.m. He is doing this voluntarily so you are responsible for your own safety. There will be the usual refreshment stops and there will be a cafe opportunity afterwards. Anyone who does not want to do the whole walk can join the group for a short stroll in the wood at the start.

Further information about the wood and access etc is on the Woodland Trust's web-site.

Please pass this on to anyone else who may be interested and let Mavis Harris know by 10th September if you are likely to come
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