Tim Crowther

A lifelong walker is the new chairman of Britain’s oldest national conservation body.

Tim Crowther has taken over the chair of the Open Spaces Society after the previous holder of the post had to retire because of ill health.

Mr Crowther, of Weybridge in Surrey, said the threats facing the country’s open spaces were greater than ever. A member of the society for more than 25 years, he has completed many of the country’s national trails and also devised his own long-distance routes, for instance Weybridge to Weymouth. He is particularly interested in seeking out unexplored and underused rights of way.

The new OSS chair has been an active member of Elmbridge Borough Council for 12 years, during which time he has played his part in the provision of green spaces through the planning process and has been a leading member of many local organisations concerned with the protection and enhancement of the green belt and public open spaces.

Mr Crowther said: “It was the threats of enclosure and development of large areas of common land in London that prompted the formation of the society.

“Now, 146 years later, the threats we face are more widespread, more diverse and even more severe. The issues are daunting, but the Open Spaces Society is well placed and uniquely qualified to take a leading and influential role in resolving them.  It is a privilege to be a part of this crucial campaign.”

Before he retired, he worked for a government property agency and has lived in Weybridge for more than 40 years. He is married with one daughter, three sons and five grandchildren.

He succeeds Jackie Warr and the new vice-chairman is Jean Macdonald from Corley Moor in north Warwickshire.

The society was founded in 1865 and is Britain’s oldest national conservation body.  It campaigns to protect common land, village greens, open spaces and public paths, and people’s right to enjoy them, throughout England and Wales.