Bucks Ramblers has honoured the work of Mike Walker, former Environment Group Manager for Buckinghamshire County Council, with a commemorative gate on a footpath at Great Missenden, Bucks. 

Mike, who retired in 2015, managed Buckinghamshire’s network of public rights of way for 30 years.  The Ramblers has celebrated Mike’s work with a gate under the Chiltern Society’s ‘donate a gate’ scheme, on Great Missenden footpath 51 on the north-eastern edge of Hobbshill Wood.  The inscription on the gate is:

Mike Walker, path champion

Thanks from Buckinghamshire Ramblers

Mike Walker

Says Kate Ashbrook, footpath secretary for the Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex Area of the Ramblers: ‘Mike has worked tirelessly for Bucks County Council for over 30 years and he made massive improvements.  Under his leadership the county’s paths were transformed—in the past walking in the less-trodden north Bucks was like negotiating an assault course, now the paths are in far better condition. 

‘It is sad for all of us that Mike has retired from the council but we are pleased he is still involved on national committees, promoting public paths and their value to the public.  We all have much to thank him for, in making conditions for walkers, riders and cyclists in Bucks so much better.’

Says Mike Walker: ‘I am truly honoured that the Ramblers and Chiltern Society, who do such great work to encourage and protect access to the countryside, wish to commemorate my achievements and those of the county council’s rights-of-way staff.  I am particularly pleased that the council’s relations and co-operation with path users and volunteers have improved tremendously over the years.  If I have helped to achieve that then I hope I have done a good job.’