Secret Life of a Rambler
Alex Staniforth, Mansfield & Sherwood Group
I’m proud to be Nottingham born and bred. After leaving Mundella Grammar School (famous former pupil, Doug Scott, the mountaineer) I started my working career in accountancy but soon swapped to engineering totalling nearly 40 years as a draughtsman and project estimator. With a decline in the industry and three redundancies I finished my employed career in the retail business selling outdoor ‘gear’ (what else?). In between those periods I spent three years at Nottingham Trent University studying Conservation and Countryside Management, which was a most gratifying and enlightening experience.
I have served the Area Ramblers consistently since 1988 as Area Secretary and Area Chair (both twice) plus various other positions. Since 1999 I have had the pleasure of writing over 90 walks for Country Walking magazine, Nottinghamshire County Council and Experience Nottinghamshire – all of which has been very rewarding.
Why did you join Ramblers? I – and my wife – have always had a keen interest in walking and when in 1985 we discovered that it was the 50th Anniversary of the Ramblers Association (as it was known then) and read about the work they undertook, it was a ‘no-brainer.’ So we both joined up and that was the start of a long relationship with the Ramblers that continues to this day.
How long have you been a member? 34 years
Where is your favourite walking destination? The Yorkshire Dales
If you could walk anywhere in the world, where would you choose? The Rocky Mountains in Canada; in fact I’ve been there several times and never failed to be impressed though actually walking in them has been brief.
What is your most memorable walk? Walking the Pennine Way in 1988
What is your most treasured piece of walking kit? My Berghaus Paclite jacket: now 13 years old and still going strong.
Have you ever got lost on a walk? Geographically or temporarily misplaced? Yes on a few occasions but never lost.
Who would be your ideal walking companion(s)? My wife, Marian: she has been my walking companion for over 40 years, so who else would I choose?
How do you relax? Reading (non-fiction), T’ai Chi and American Square Dancing.
What is your favourite meal? Strange though it may seem I don’t have a particular favourite; I enjoy most things especially vegetarian meals.
What is your guiltiest pleasure? Full 85% dark chocolate
What music would you like played at your funeral? Elgar’s Nimrod from his Enigma Variations; makes me think of, and appreciate, the British Countryside. Also, to end with, John Philip Souza’s Liberty Bell, better known as the theme music to Monty Python’s Flying Circus: which was, of course, funny and slightly ridiculous, but isn’t life sometimes like that?
Sum up your personality in three words. Never stopped learning..
Written by James Mcgill, October 2019