People in the news

Lizbet Fairley

We are saddened to report the death on 22 August of Lizbet Fairley. A member since 1975, Lizbet was one of the first women to join the AC by direct application, rather than via membership of the Ladies’ Alpine Club.

Fred Smith

We have been informed that Fred Smith, a member since 1976, died on 14 August.

Details of his funeral to follow.

John Burrows

We are sad to inform members of the death of John (Nick) Burrows on 13thMay 2022. He had been a member of the AC since 1952.

John (Nick) Burrows was a member of the AC for 70 years having been elected at the age of 21, which was the youngest that the rules permitted at that time. He was a kind and true gentleman and a dear friend to many climbers.

His funeral will take place at 12:00hrs on Thursday 16 June at the St John's Chapel of Oxford Crematorium, OX3 9RZ.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed to Médecins sans Frontières or Practical Action and can be sent c/o S&R Childs Funeral Directors, 10 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE. Tel: 01865 378888

For further information contact either his cousin Avril Collins (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Mike Esten (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

 

Stewart Hawkins

We have recently learned of the death on 20 March of Stewart Hawkins, an Associate member since 2007.

 

 

John Brailsford

The Club is saddened to learn of the death on 1 April of John Brailsford, a member for sixty years. He joined as a member of the ACG in 1962 and became ACG secretary in 1967.

 

 

Dr Jim Milledge

The Club will be saddened to learn that Dr Jim Milledge, a past Vice-President, and renowned for his research on the physiology of altitude, has died.  

The funeral service will be held on 17 March - more details later.

 

 

Piero Nava

We have recently received from his son the sad news of the death last September of Piero Nava.  He joined in 1973 and became an ACG member in 1986.

Members can log in to submit their tributes or send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that they can be posted on the website. 

 

 

Kev Reynolds

We are saddened to learn of the death on 10 December of Kev Reynolds, renowned author of Cicerone guidebooks, and a member since 1979.

Members can log in to submit their tributes or send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that they can be posted on the website. 

 

 

David John Ford

We are saddened to report the death of David John Ford, a member since 1975

Members can log in to submit their tributes or send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that they can be posted on the website. 

Victor Saunders Receives Jon Whyte Award for Mountain Literature

Current AC President Victor Saunders has received the Jon Whyte Award for Mountain Literature (Non-Fiction) for his new book 'Structured Chaos'. The prize was awarded as part of the Banff Mountain Festival.

Jury member Bernadette McDonald commented: "In his unique, conversational style, Victor Saunders has taken us on a wonderful journey; sometimes heart-breaking, often hilarious. His observations are surgically precise, his evocative descriptions are skilfully penned and his personal reflections are unstintingly honest. From his early awkward years to his many impressive climbs in the Great Ranges, what stands out above all in Structured Chaos is the value he places on friendship."

As a category award winner, Victor is now eligible for the festival's Grand Prize for mountain literature. The recipient of this award will be announced on Friday 5 November.

A full list of the category winners is available to view here.

 

 

AC Members Recognised in AAC(UK) Photo Competition

The Club would like to congratulate members Derek Buckle, Andrey Golovachev and Nick Hurndall Smith whose photography has been recognised in the annual Austrian Alpine Club (UK) Photo & Sketch Competition.

 


'Two Smokers' by Andrey Golovachev

'Paul Winder on the NNW Ridge of the Weisshorn' by Nick Hurndall Smith

'Nick King on Liskamm' by Derek Buckle

Andrey's photograph 'Two Smokers' won the award for Best Portrait/People Image while two of his other images 'Yin and Yang' and 'Theatre of Silence' were commended in the Nature and General categories respectively.

Meanwhile, in the Best Mountain Landscape/Wild Country category, Nick's photograph of Paul Winder on the NNW Ridge of the Weisshorn claimed the top prize, while Derek's image of Nick King on Liskamm was highly commended. Nick's photographs 'Shaqsha Descent' and 'Chombu, Sikkim' were also commended in this category.

Many congratulations to all three members.

You can see a full list of the winners on the AAC(UK) website.

 

 

Neil Sawyer

We have received the very sad news that one of our newest members, Neil Sawyer, was killed in a cycling accident near Chamonix on 23 September.

For those who knew Neil and would like to attend, his memorial service will be streamed live on 1 October via this event page

Richard Sykes

We are saddened to learn of the death on 17 September of Richard Sykes, who had been a member for 50 years.

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