The Ramblers Wycombe and District Group has marked the contribution of one of its founder members with a lasting tribute on the paths he has spent decades improving.

Members gathered on the boundary between Lane End, Piddington and Wheeler End parishes to unveil a new gate installed in honour of long-standing volunteer John Esslemont, from Lane End.

The gate replaces a difficult stile, making the route easier and more accessible for walkers using the local footpath network.

Eighteen Ramblers joined a walk on April 1 to 'launch' the gate and celebrate John’s many achievements with the group and across the wider area.

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The Ramblers Wycombe and District Group dedicated a gate to John EsslemontThe Ramblers Wycombe and District Group dedicated a gate to John Esslemont (Image: The Ramblers Wycombe and District Group)

The event highlighted his years of quiet dedication to keeping paths open, well maintained and enjoyable for the public.

Said Ramblers GB vice-president, Kate Ashbrook, who lives in Turville: “It is a pleasure to honour John with a new gate, because he has brought joy to so many walkers.

"He has walked more than 2,000 times with Wycombe Group, led over 400 walks, and checked and reported the condition of countless paths.

"He has also served as Group secretary for 21 years, and taken on nearly all the roles in the Ramblers Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, and West Middlesex Area—as vice-chair, chair, secretary, and now treasurer, as well as serving on a Ramblers GB national committee.”