Clarion Ramblers

George Herbert Bridges Ward founded the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers in 1900. Sheffield Clarion Ramblers was disbanded in 2015, after 115 years. Bert Ward intoduced the heathy outdoor rambling activity to workers in Sheffield. Their two mottos feature in the yearly Sheffield Clarion Ramblers Handbooks which ran to 61 editions, from 1902 to 1963. These were:-

‘A Rambler made is a man improved’

‘The man who was never lost, never went far’

The handbooks were intended to be carried on rambles, and a standard ‘pocket’ size of 4¾ x 3 inches was adopted. Except for 1910, which was slightly larger at 5½ x 4¼ inches. They started as a folded card with a stapled spine and a small number of pages giving dates and details of rambles. Page numbers increased from 12 in 1907 to 132 in 1920, and 208 pages in 1950. Photos were included from 1907, always black and white.. Hand drawn fold-out maps appeared in 1913 and 1914, then missed a few years and reappeared from 1920 onwards.

Bert Ward produced the handbooks single handedly until his death in 1957. The Clarion Ramblers Handbooks contained dates and descriptions of weekly rambles throughout the year. Typically 12-20 miles and often on rough terrain. There were far fewer ramblers in the early 20th century. The leaders were appointed and the walks took place whatever the weather. Confrontations with gamekeepers were not uncommon as Bert Ward was a campaigner to recover lost public rights of way across moorland shooting estates. In the Handbooks he published a number of very detailed maps showing the traditional paths. This was at a time when landowners were trying to discourage access to their moorland shooting estates.

The ‘Longshaw Holmesfield Circular’ signposted walk was recently created as a celebration of the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers and their founder, the inspirational ‘Bert’ Ward. The full walk of 18km (11 miles) would have been an easy day for these moorland walkers. The route passes Storth Lodge where Bert Ward spent the later years of his life.

Dark Peak Fell Runners was founded in 1976. The early members were experienced in long distance running. DPFR is the natural successor to the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers Club. Many of our older members knew Clarion Ramblers and their routes. Clarion Ramblers knew quite a bit about fell running.

The handbooks are full of interesting historic information about the Peak District moors and valleys. Most importantly they detail a long running campaign to restore traditional access to rights of way across the moors. I began collecting the SCR Handbooks in 1980 and I have now had a full set (1907 – 1963) scanned so that the information can be shared with future generations. The Handbooks are quite rare and becoming scarcer. I would like the scanned versions to be accessible to everyone on the Dark Peak Fell Runners website.

GHB Ward was the copyright author of the articles and photographs and he died in 1957. Photographers are understood to have passed their copyright to their club. GHB Ward has no living descendants and Sheffield Clarion Ramblers Club was wound up in 2015. Copyright of written material lasts for 70 years from the death of the author, so until 2027. I have discussed copyright with the last President of the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers Club and he sees no conflict over copyright. I suggest that a simple statement is made, such as :-,‘All rights reserved. No part of the publication covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced in any form or by any means graphic, electronic or mechanised, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems without the written permission of the copyright owner.’

Mike Browell – mike.browell@btinternet.com