Ken Falconer

Awfully sad news indeed, although Mac was a bit older than us we always thought of him as 'one of us'.  I suppose my earliest memories of him with the group were to a large extent based around the Brecons 100.  It is probably widely known that he designed the B&W logo and [fittingly] the sweatshirts were first distributed at a riotous evening in their house.  I think it was one of the old style AGMs [although I could be wrong on that] with an informal meeting followed by loads of food and silly games.  Mac was always brilliant fun at these things and how could ANYONE forget the fancy dress Christmas walk when he came dressed as a woman in a perfect fitting tweed suit which Jill had found in a charity shop.  If I recall correctly, the walk started in Portishead and we went to John Bickerstaffe's house for coffee where I clearly remember Nicola [John's wife] almost having a seizure when she saw Mac.  I think JB had failed to mention that the walk was fancy dress!  I suspect that was the same walk that saw the sweatshirts distributed afterwards, but they do start to merge after 25 years!

As well as the B&W logo Mac designed the first Malvern Marathon badge and did the artwork for the new certificate when Mac and Tony handed over the reins to Chris and I.  He and Jill made Chase End their own checkpoint over the years, when it was still half way up the lane to the trig point - Mac somehow managing to get their car up there [and back again] without mishap.

Both Mac and Jill were great walkers and in the early days they were always planning their next backpacking trip, often to Europe, where they managed to do more in a few years than many people do in a lifetime

Mac was just a genuinely nice person who was always prepared to muck in and help with whatever needed to be done.  I will always remember the way he would give you a big hug whenever he saw you and his infectious laugh - plus of course the image of the tweed suit, which still makes me giggle when I think of it.

Things I (Chris) remember  -
- doing (more acccurately, attempting) the KMM in the Howgills - it poured with rain, we got soaked, I nearly lost my compass, we got lost, the hills were too steep, ............we finally broached the subject of 'packing' - and instantly agreed to do it. Great relief all round. So a short cut to the night stop, Mac battling the wind to get the tent up, me being useless (barely knowing one end of a tent from the other) - and having a pleasant stroll to the finish the next day. I'd bought the T-shirt at the start and Mac gave me permission to wear it - after all, we'd tried.
- talking about cycling (Mac encouraged us to try it) - about him cycling home from Jill's house with newspaper (donated by the future father-in-law) stuffed down the font of his shirt (to keep warm).
- talking about anything

C&S

I am so sorry; Mac was a wonderful person and I have very fond memories of
him. His gentle manner, his lovely sense of humour and his constant
encouragement of others marked him out as someone very special and an
example to us all. Jill and the family are very much in my prayers at this
sad time.
Dave Matthews.

Along with all the great memories of Mac's walking activities, it's good to
remember he was an exceptionally keen cyclist, and during his National
Service he rode in the Army team events. In addition to the event itself,
Mac would ride the bike both to and from the starting point, wherever it
was.

Mac was always great fun to be with, and always the first to pitch in with
whatever tasks needed doing on group weekends.
We will all miss him greatly, and my deepest sympathy goes to Jill and his
family.

Phil Heneghan

As a relative newcomer to B&W LDWA, I have not known Mac & Jill for very
long. However, since joining, I have always received enormous encouragement
from both Mac & Jill. Mac must be one of the most positive & thoroughly
decent men I have had the privilege to know, even if, sadly, for such a
short time. At this year's (national) AGM, I was struck by his courageous
attitude to the medical problems that he had. He clearly had no intention of
'giving up', indeed he took it all head on, at the same time maintaining his
remarkable sense of humour. A very hard act to follow. Dear Jill, Ray joins
me in sending our love & prayers on this very sad occasion, as you set off
on what has to be the hardest of all possible 'walks'.
Wendy & Ray Watson

We have lost a very good friend. Mac was such a lovely, caring & cheerful man. Always willing to help and a joy to be with.

Molly & Mike Dixon

It has been a privilege to walk with this gentle man. 

Dave Street

This very sad news. I shall miss him very much as a very good friend on LDWA events. It was a privilege to know him and, for me, he was a source of inspiration.

Dennis Gilbert

I was very sorry to hear this sad news. Mac was a lovely man as you say, and
a great walker. A real stalwart with Jill for the Bristol and West group.
John Cunnane

The world will be a sadder place without Mac.  I’ve known Mac for over 20 years and my one everlasting memory will be his smile.  To me it was a smile that was always accompanied with a little wink of the eye.  I’m sure part of him his still winking at us now.

 Jill, out of all the blokes you could have chosen, you chose one of the best.  

Andrew Clabon