Bill the Fell Walker

Heughscar Hill

 6 September 2006

Ascent from Pooley Bridge 

It is shocking to adjust to the loss of a good companion. At his funeral in Carlisle on Tuesday 7 March 2017 we heard of the many sides to our friend: 

fine academic historian;

 family man; 

cat-lover; 

chairman of RSPCA in N.E.Cumbria; 

luminary of the Historical Association, (Secretary of Cumbria Branch most recently);

and cyclist.

It was my privilege on returning to live in my northern homeland in 2001, to accompany him on a good many walks. Often, as we strolled and he entertained with his fine talk laced with historical and literary references, I mused that I ought to try to be a Boswell to his Johnson and organise what I was learning about him and from him. It was not to be, but  I can gather in this modern way something of the man from my experiences of him and even, perhaps, invite you to contribute your memories?

As one speaker recalled of Bill, "he drew you in". On this day illustrated above, Bill drove us to the Askham area and, before setting off on our walk, we visited the home of his good friend and ex-colleague Hugh, the psepholigist. Naturally, I learned, but have promptly forgotten so much of modern politics and this art of number counting.

At this time Bill was publishing his book 'Robert Southey- Entire Man of Letters'. He persuaded me to take the photograph of the effigy in Crosthwaite Church. Of course I was flattered to be asked. I was encouraged to help with the proof-reading too. Again I felt happy to be involved. Southey and surely Bill's motto: 'in labore quies', or rest in labour was drawing me in.

I will return to walking in the Lakes with Bill on another page. For example, he persuaded me to go to the top of Scafell Pike on 14th May 2008 to celebrate his 70th birthday. I have noted in my copy of Wainwright's Book Four, 'The Southern Fells', that we set off walking at 10:30 a.m. and got down again at 8:30 p.m. Maybe it was on that occasion that we stopped for a beer near Keswick and he watched me with some awe down a pint of 'Sneck-Lifter' without it touching the sides!

But over to you now....please

Ian C.Mason, FHA   9 March 2017.  Email: iancmason@virginmedia.com