A tireless advocate for public rights of way and a dedicated member of Ramblers, Chris Bush died on 14th April 2024. His passion for walking was evident throughout his decades of service with both the York Ramblers Group Committee and the East Yorkshire and Derwent Area Council. Chris became involved at the national level, serving on the Board of Trustees of the Ramblers between 2002 and 2004.  

While Chris's strong views sometimes caused friction, he was known to readily apologize when proven wrong, and many will remember him for his energy in tackling issues affecting the Ramblers.  He organized the York Wednesday Walks’ programme for several years as well as liaising with up to ten group walk secretaries prior to producing the half-yearly Area Programme and Events booklet, which listed all the led walks to be offered in the Area.  During the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, which closed most paths for months, he created an emergency programme.

He was a strong believer in succession planning and was the driving force behind the formation of the Howden & Goole Ramblers group, acting as their first chairman and drafting their constitution. He worked to protect public rights of way as Footpath Secretary for the EY&D Area Ramblers and for York Ramblers (1999-2003 and again in 2011). When there was a possibility that existing paths not shown on the Definitive map might be lost, he was involved in identifying paths for possible inclusion before the then 2025 cut-off.

When not walking, he and Anne would go off touring in their classic Morris Minor, of which they had several over the years..  Chris also volunteered at the National Railway Museum and drove the road train that runs between the museum and York Minster.

Chris's dedication to Ramblers and the footpath network will be deeply missed. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife Anne, Libby, Mike and the boys.

(Tom Halstead with assistance from several Area and York Group members.)