Rowland Bowker

The following has just been reported by Rick Salter on The Relative Hills of Britain Facebook page:

It is with sadness that I report the passing of one of the original Marilyn baggers; Rowland Bowker.  Rowland passed away peacefully earlier this week at his home in Maryport, west Cumbria.  He is survived by Ann, his wife.

Rowland and Ann were passionate hill baggers and made their mark early after The Relative Hills of Britain was published in 1992.  By 1998 they climbed their 1500^th Marilyn; Meall a’Bhainne.  They were regular attenders at the annual dinners until recent years and are remembered fondly by many on this forum.

I had the pleasure to meet Rowland and Ann on a number of occasions and conducted interviews with both, arranging to visit them at their home in Portinscale in Cumbria.  The prospect of being interviewed via digi-camcorder entertained them and it was a pleasure for me to film Rowland as he talked about his travels.

He was a passionate person with enthusiasm for the hills and travelling and will be sadly missed amongst the hill bagging community.

The interview appears below, and I hope in some small way it is a testament to Rowland.

At this sad time my thoughts are with Rowland’s family and loved ones.