Newton Abbot Ramblers club and Teignmouth and Dawlish Ramblers are mourning the death of one of their most committed members – Mike Strickland, writes Sarah Buck.
Right up until his death just before Christmas, he was busy organising a club holiday in Tenerife, a skittles evening, a coach trip, while managing administrative emails and he was due to lead a walk in February.
Mike was very much the epitome of Benjamin Franklin’s phrase “If you want something done, ask a busy person”.
He first joined the club in 2001 and was soon leading walks; his first being a 10 mile walk starting at the Cremyll Ferry and walking to Mount Edgcumbe, along the south west coastal footpath and back via Millbrook.
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Mike’s walks were always interesting, packed with information and variety. He had lived in Cornwall and Somerset as well as Devon and having walked extensively in all three counties he had an extensive portfolio of walks combined with a wealth of knowledge of the areas.
With a headteacher’s ability to impart information, many will remember he was head of Decoy Primary School in Newton Abbot, he was able to fascinate fellow walkers with facts, figures and points of interest – particularly if a railway happened to be nearby!
Mike in Uffach, Austria , in January 2019 ( )
In 2004 he became club treasurer and for a short time in 2010 he took on the management of the club website. In 2010 started his seven years as club chairman, and he then became events coordinator, a post he held till his untimely death.
He was always enthusiastic, helpful, inclusive and concerned that everyone should have equal opportunities to join events and walks. He oversaw a huge range of social events, from local barn dances to club holidays in the UK and abroad.
All the events were meticulously organised with detailed lists for who should be where and when. The head counting he had to do in his school career stood him in good stead for ramblers’ events!
Besides all the events, Mike masterminded 300 walks with few repeats – and that doesn’t include the holiday walks he led.
One of his specialities was “walks of discovery”. Whether for the A group or for the café group all his walks were well thought out, taken at the appropriate pace, full of interest and often with refreshments at the end. Mike liked nothing more than to end a walk with a drink (and often cake) enjoying the company of others.
Mike Strickland ( )
Mike was knowledgeable, amenable, companionable, an excellent leader and a friend to all.
He lived life to the full and in his 82 years he packed in so much and enriched the lives of all who knew him.
The club’s condolences are with his family particularly his daughters Mel and Kathryn, sons-in law and grandchildren.