Secret Life of a Rambler
David Hunt, Nottingham Group
This is a special edition of our occasional feature on individual members of Nottinghamshire Ramblers. Sadly David died at the beginning of July 2019. He had already agreed to contribute to “Secret Life” and, with the permission of his family, we print his answers below.
David was an extraordinary person with a winning combination of charm, humour and energy. I only got to know him in 2013 when I became Groups Officer and he took over as Area Chair for the second time. We embarked on a series of meetings to the various Nottinghamshire Ramblers Groups and rapidly became friends.
At the same time it had become apparent that our organisation of Rights of Way work needed a complete overhaul, as a result of which the system of District Coordinators was introduced. This would not have happened without David’s skill at chairing a series of meetings.
I was constantly in awe of his skills as a chairman, his way of defusing tensions with humour, his diplomacy in keeping people to the point and his ability to produce a workable consensus out of difficult situations.
What impressed me most about David, however, was his resilience. He suffered from major medical problems and had been in hospital more than once with life-threatening illnesses – he always seemed able to defy the odds and to bounce back, as cheerful as ever. Not once did I hear him complain about his disabilities and it is hard to believe that he has finally succumbed.
David’s contribution to Ramblers was huge; not only was he Area Chair twice but he was also National Treasurer from 1997 to 2002. There was, of course, much more to David than Ramblers. He had a distinguished career as a chartered accountant and served with distinction on various national and international bodies. He was also heavily involved with innumerable local charitable and community causes such as Nottingham Playhouse, the Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Forest and the Prince’s Trust (to name but a few!).
And then there was his career as a professional after- dinner speaker, his involvement with Warwick University, his regular attendances at Trent Bridge cricket matches…
I could go on but I’m sure you get the picture – a truly remarkable person with a great zest for life who will be missed by the many people whose life he touched.
Why did you join Ramblers? To help with the costs of keeping open and maintaining the paths that I was using.
How long have you been a member? 1997, just before I became the National Treasurer
Where is your favourite walking destination? In terms of doing it frequently, around the Forest, the Arboretum and the Rock Cemetery in Nottingham to and from my flat.
If you could walk anywhere in the world, where would you choose? Blue Mountains NSW Australia
What is your most memorable walk? From Hayfield, over Kinder Scout to Mam Tor (overlooking Castleton) and back
What is your most treasured piece of walking kit? A walking stick given me on my retirement after 20 years on the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. However, I have never used it!
Have you ever got lost on a walk? Not when I have been leading!
Who would be your ideal walking companion(s)? Me, ie as few people as possible
How do you relax? By not getting stressed, worried or concerned.
What is your favourite meal? Lobster Thermidor with fries and dry white wine
What is your guiltiest pleasure? I don’t have one
What music would you like played at your funeral? I have told my sons and not to waste money on a funeral, but to have a party and remember the good times. In any case, given all my serious illnesses, I will donate my body for research of what is left of it.
Sum up your personality in three words. Enjoyment in everything
Written by James Mcgill, August 2019