Two very special individuals received very special awards for their services to the outdoors. The Golden Eagle Award is presented annually by the Outdoor Writers' Guild to persons who have rendered distinguished or meritorious service to the outdoors generally. The award traditionally takes the form of an original water-colour painting by the renowned Powys-based landscape artist - and Guild member - David Bellamy. The award is decided by a vote of the membership and this year there was a tie, so two awards were given. Both recipients are highly deserving, though in very different ways. Cedric Robinson MBE holds the title of Queen's Guide to Morecambe Bay, which carries the princely annual stipend of £15. Over a period of 40 years, Cedric has guided almost 400,000 people across the shifting sands of the Bay. Many of these have been walking for charity, and many millions of pounds have been raised. Less tangible, but equally important, they have had a very special experience and discovered a unique and precious environment. Few people can have personally introduced so many to the delights of the great outdoors. Cedric is a great enthusiast and - as he proved in his acceptance speech - a great communicator. It was a very unusual occasion for Cedric and his wife Olive, who rarely travel far from their beloved Morecambe Bay. Naturally, the Bay was the subject of the painting presented to Cedric by OWG President Roly Smith. David Bellamy took part in a crossing of the Bay, led by Cedric, in April this year, taking many sketches which subsequently helped him to paint an atmospheric evocation of its unique atmosphere. When OWG President Roly Smith, presenting the award to Alan Blackshaw OBE, mentioned that he had begin his mountaineering career with a copy of Blackshaw on Mountaineering in his rucksack, many other heads around the room nodded in accord. First published almost 40 years ago, this was the standard text for many years and remains widely respected. Alan is a past president of the BMC (British Mountaineering Council) and now a patron, and he is currently president of both the Alpine Club and the Ski Club of Great Britain. However, he has most recently been prominent as a result of his tireless work in influencing the new access legislation in Scotland. As Roly Smith said in his presentation, 'almost single-handed, he took on and defeated the assembled ranks of lawyers who were employed by the anti-access lobby, and in the end it was Alan's views (and I suspect most of ours) which were accepted by the Scottish parliament, and which have now been mirrored in the new Land Reform (Scotland) Act.' For this alone, the members of the Guild, and the wider outdoor community, owe him a lasting debt of gratitude. The Outdoor Writers' Guild represents over 200 leading communicators in the outdoor world - not just writers, but photographers, map-makers, illustrators, broadcasters, and a wide range of other talents. Members and guests travelled from all over the UK to attend the Guild's Annual Awards Dinner, held this year in the imposing surroundings of Hampton Court at Hope-under-Dinmore in Herefordshire. During the weekend they also enjoyed opportunities to explore the Herefordshire countryside, which was looking particularly splendid in the autumn colours. Photographs of the presentations are available in digital form from Jon Sparks, |