Pendle author Ron Freethy dies

Ron Freethy (77), of Pendle Valley Caravan Park, Roughlee, had written books on subjects ranging from walking and wildlife to local twang and toilets over a period of more than 40 years, his first work being published in 1971.

Many of these, written in an easy to follow style, have proved an invaluable guide to their users down the years,

Several of the walks featured in them are here in Pendle, including one on the three-mile Ferndean Way linking the Waterside area of Colne and Wycoller which he was involved in the planning and of which he performed the opening ceremony in the 1970s.

Mr Freethy was born in Barrow-in-Furness but had lived for much of his life in the Pendle area, meeting his wife Marlene as a pen pal and coming to live here 51 years ago.

He originally worked as a teacher but for much of his life had been an environmentalist, spending time helping to clean up rivers in Australia and also helping in a similar clean-up of the River Mersey.

He retired in 2003 to concentrate on his writing and as well as his books, Mr Freethy also regularly appeared on local radio and TV and wrote a weekly column for a local newspaper on environmental matters.

Mr Freethy is survived by his widow, Marlene, son Paul and one grandson.

Funeral arrangements were pending as we went to press.