Sad to report that in October 2021 one of our oldest members, Philip Critchley, died aged 90. Philip was a great supporter of the club cross-country and mob matches and a regular at the clubhouse until his move to Ashford. He had been a member for over 61 years. In 1989 Philip was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in recognition of his work at the Department of Transport. 7-11-21

Obituary for Philip Critchley CB, MA, FRSA. From Stella Critchley

After his happy years at Manchester Grammar School, Philip went to Balliol College, Oxford where he read Classics and Philosophy. He did his National Service in the Intelligence Corps, mostly in Germany, then entered the Civil Service in London. He rose to the rank of Under Secretary, working in the Dept. of Environment, where he managed the North West Study and was particularly pleased with getting the William Harvey Hospital sited on the edge of Ashford in Kent, near to junction 10 on M20. He moved to the Ministry of Transport to oversee the development of the motorway system. He was particularly concerned with design and safety; he was horrified by the recent “smart motorway “ installations. He made sure there was a new service area at Clacket Lane on M25 to fill a gap on the heaviest used stretch, and provided contracts for wild meadow flowers on embankments – hence the glorious cowslips at Capel le Ferne.
Throughout his life, he was an enthusiastic cross-country runner and also competed in about 15 road marathons, but he was happiest fell-running and climbing in the Lake District, to which he retired for 20 years before returning to his family in Ashford when he became frail. He lived near Ulverston and worked for the mental health charity Mind, having trained as a councellor. Philip was a strong, kind and hardworking man, loved and respected by his friends and family: brother Neville, wife Stella , children Conrad, Brian and Rachel, their 12 children and stepchildren and two small great grandsons. 3-12-21