Tony Parker OBE [1908 - 1994]  

Greensand Way creator and Previous Kingston Ramblers President

Tony Parker was a member of Kingston Ramblers for many years and died while on a Ramblers holiday in Portugal.  He was known for being very prompt for the walking meetings and failed to arrive one morning.  The walk leader went up to his room to look for him and found he had died peacefully in his sleep.  Who could ask for a more appropriate way to go?  Tony was involved in the beginnings of Kingston Ramblers from humble beginnings way back in 1963.  The group was then a part of SE London and Kent group and Tony was the Footpath Secretary.  This covered a huge area from Norfolk to the Isle of Wight!  Brian Reader recounts the 1970s non-statutory review of footpaths by West Sussex County Council.  Tony became a significant voice in opposition to footpath diversion and removal and it is down in part to this that many footpaths in that area remain for us to walk along today.  Tony remained looking after footpath matters until Brian Reader took over the role in 1975.  

The Greensand Way a 108 long distance walk from Hazelmere in Surrey to Hamstreet in Kent, opened in 1980.  Tony was a key player in its creation and a succession of four gates have been erected as a memorial to him along the route he pioneered.  Three of these are along the route itself and one of them just off it.   

Tony was awarded his OBE for his work in the London Fire Service.  His contributions to furthering Rambling and The Ramblers would also merit a medal of recognition.