FARNHAM & District Ramblers has dedicated the first in its planned programme of funding and installing ‘kissing gates’ to John Plympton, who for nearly two decades has led the club’s expanding footpath maintenance programme.

With a 75 per cent reduction in Surrey County Council’s (SCC’s) budget for countryside work, down from £400,000 to £100,000, it has fallen to local volunteer groups such as Farnham Ramblers to fill the funding gap in ensuring that footpaths are properly maintained and also improving the walking experience.

“Replacing stiles with kissing gates is an important part of making our rights of way network easier to use, for regular and occasional walkers alike,” said Farnham Ramblers’ chairman Alan Buttery, “and so it seemed absolutely appropriate to recognise John’s outstanding commitment over so many years in this way.”

Dorset-born John moved to the Farnham area in the 1950s and on retiring after a career in estate agency joined Farnham Ramblers in 2000. He took on the role of footpath secretary at the group’s 2001 annual meeting and liaised closely with SCC officers on footpath development, including bridge repairs, installing boardwalks, fingerposts and cutting back vegetation.

As the club’s footpath maintenance co-ordinator from 2003 to 2016 he built a team of around 30 volunteers, which continues to work on a monthly basis throughout every summer on priority tasks. In 2009 he also initiated a footpath wardens scheme, involving 19 parish-based representatives, designed to improve bottom-up reporting of problems.

One of his treasured early memories was being part of the Ramblers team which successfully persuaded government inspectors of the need for a footpath-only Hindhead Hill underpass when the Hindhead tunnel was in development.

Though he has relinquished all his maintenance co-ordination responsibilities, John is still involved and he continues as a local footpath warden and is still strongly involved in developing new walk leaders and leading a number of Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday short walks.

At the unveiling ceremony, which took place at Peper Harrow during one of the club’s regular Tuesday evening walks, John was completely taken aback by his nomination and by his own admission was “lost for words, a rare occurrence for all who know me!”

However, Farnham Ramblers’ chairman Alan Buttery has no doubt that the honour is fully deserved.

“It was not a difficult decision in selecting John as the first dedicatee, as there is no-one who has contributed so much to ensuring the footpaths and broader countryside around Farnham are accessible to all,” said Alan.

“And I know I speak on behalf of everyone in Farnham Ramblers in particular, when I say how we all owe a huge debt to John in making it so much easier for us to enjoy one of our favourite pastimes. And, though he may have passed on the baton of footpath maintenance supremo, long may he continue sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with us!”

For more information on Farnham & District Ramblers, visit farnhamramblers.org.uk.