Congratulations to Bob Pettigrew, who has received the CCPR Emeritus Award for a lifetime’s contribution to mountaineering and recreation, both through service to the CCPR and other bodies, and as a participant.

He was presented with the award by His Royal Highness Prince Philip at St. James’ Palace. Bob is an Honorary Member of the BMC, and was BMC President from 1976 to 1979, helping to establish it in Manchester following its move from London in 1975. He is also the current President of the UIAA Access & Conservation Commission. Bob has been a member of the Outdoor Pursuits Division of the CCPR since 1970, latterly as Chairman, and an Individual Member since 1980.

He founded and chaired the Access Focus Group which had an important role in defining and protecting the customary rights and freedoms of outdoor recreation during the passage of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2002. He also represented the CCPR on the Mountain Training Board, on which, as Chairman 1987-93, he had an important role in setting up the very successful and forward-looking UK Mountain Training Board.

Perhaps his greatest contribution was in representing the CCPR on the Committee for the National Mountain Centre Plas y Brenin, helping to maintain its standards and traditions, and Sports Council understanding of, and support for, them through times of change. In his student days, Bob represented Loughborough University at First XV rugby, athletics and cross-country running; and was Chairman of the Loughborough University Mountaineering Club. Since then he has been - and still is - an active mountaineer and mountain explorer on foot and ski.

He is best known for his significant mountain exploration over many seasons in the Kulu region of the Punjab Himalaya of India, including several first ascents of peaks and passes between 16,000ft - 22,000 ft. The Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) is the umbrella organisation for the national governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK – www.ccpr.org.uk The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) represents over seven million climbers and mountaineers from 76 countries worldwide – www.uiaa.ch

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