White Cliffs Ramblers: Appeals Page

MARGARET LUBBOCK

Margaret Lubbock, chairman of the White Cliffs Ramblers, died on December 29 after a short illness.

Margaret, who was 74, joined the White Cliffs Ramblers in 2000, becoming chairman in 2011. As chairman (the term she preferred - she did not like chair or chairwoman), she oversaw a range of initiatives, including an expansion of the walks programme which led to a boost in membership; a project to recruit a team of volunteers to keep footpaths open and maintained; and a series of social events, including group holidays at home and abroad, quiz nights and barn dances.

She was also one of the founders and organisers of the annual White Cliffs Walking Festival, which attracts several hundred walkers every year, and has become the top event of its kind in the South East.

Under Margaret, membership of the group grew from just under 400 in 2013 to approximately 500 today, bucking the national trend. Margaret was also vice-chairman of Kent Ramblers, a position she held from 2012 until her death.

Margaret hailed from Colchester in Essex, and spent many years in the catering industry, which included running a restaurant in Richmond, Surrey. She moved to east Kent 35 years ago and spent more than 11 years working in the medical department for Pfizer at Sandwich. Ten years ago she opened a guest house at her home in Eythorne.

Margaret has two children in their 30s - Rosemary, who works as a marketing manager in London, and Roderick, a lecturer in engineering at Imperial College, London and Pembroke College, Oxford.

Pam Brivio, the former Mayor of Dover who is a member of the White Cliffs Ramblers, said: "This is such sad news. Margaret was an extraordinary woman and a real asset to our group."

Group secretary Helena Trevelayn said: "Apart from everything she achieved for the group, Margaret was extremely cultured and knowledgeable, and she was a superb conversationalist. I remember the wonderful conversations we had about all things cultural, from the Bloomsbury Group to the history and architecture of buildings, especially, the old houses we came across on our walks.

"She was proud of her time at Pfizer, and she was so pleased that the Pfizer group at Sandwich had been the first to isolate the Covid-19 virus molecule". The group is considering fitting ways to remember Margaret, including a memorial walk during this year's White Cliffs Walking Festival, which is set for August 26-31.

Tributes have been made to Margaret Lubbock from all levels of The Ramblers.

Kate Ashbrook, who chairs The Ramblers' board of trustees and who stayed at Margaret's guest house when she opened the White Cliffs Walking Festival, said: "The Ramblers owe Margaret a huge debt of gratitude. "She was for many years not only the immensely able chairman of the White Cliff group, but also a leading light in the annual White Cliffs Walking Festival, a highly successful event which I have had the privilege of opening three times. Twice I stayed with Margaret before the opening day, and she made me very welcome.

"Nothing was too much for Margaret; she carried out her voluntary tasks cheerfully while making light of them. She was one of those volunteers on whom we depend, and without whom The Ramblers would be much the poorer. We shall remember Margaret with affection, and for the fine example she set to us all."

Les Preston, who for many years served with Margaret on the committees of the White Cliffs Ramblers and the White Cliffs Walking Festival, said: "Margaret first joined the White Cliffs group in early 2000 and enjoyed the walking so much, quickly saw the wisdom of becoming a life member in June 2000! "Shortly after that Margaret became involved with group and area committees. Margaret and I worked together on many projects from setting up the first website for the Kent Ramblers in 2003 to the Area Management Team, where she was deputy chairman. She worked tirelessly onmany area and group projects, which furthered ramblers' interests.

"Margaret was steady and reliable and always a great companion to work with, and was a good and keen walker.

"When she became group chairman in 2011, I remember Margaret saying, when asked'Do you want to be known as Chair or Chairwoman?', replying 'No, I like the word Chairman.' She kept all the committee on target with a relaxed style and a business-like approach and set an example of leadership. Margaret attended pretty much every walk she could, always believing that the chairman should support the walk leaders by example. She supported the White Cliffs Walking Festival with enthusiasm and very much loved this annual event.

"An enthusiastic supporter of group holidays, she greatly enjoyed them and believed they represented good value for money while playing an important part in helping bind the group together. When I pulled out of organising them, Margaret took over with her friend Margaret Milsted-Williamson. She particularly enjoyed Majorca and had fond memories of relaxing at the hotel's roof bar , enjoying a G&T with Margaret M-W and Diana Backwell after a hard day's walking.

"We will miss such a good friend and capable chairman."

Kent Ramblers secretary Robert Peel said: "Margaret became Kent Area's first webmaster in June 2004, creating an online presence for the Area. She maintained her involvementuntil her final illness, although she had relinquished the more technical aspects of running the website some years ago, in particular responding to inquiries posted on the site.

"Margaret was a much valued member of the Area Management Team: her judgement always sound and her principles always high.

"Margaret was always on hand to help with organising and running area events such as annual meetings of footpath volunteers, and for a while she helped with taking minutes at meetings of Area Council. She was an ideal colleague and I will miss her greatly."