News has reached us of the recent passing of two Challengers.

Derek Bean, who has died aged 89, entered four Challenges in the 1980s with his friend Grahame Downer. Derek worked with the codebreakers at Bletchley Park in WW2 and later became a senior finance officer with the then London County Council. He was a keen hillwalker with great stamina, completing the Downsman 100 twice as well as his Challenges, and in June 2000, aged 76, joined Grahame for the latter’s final Munro on Ben Lomond.

George Bowey was another great character from the early years. He started nine Challengers between 1981 and 1991, completing six of them. On three of his crossings he was accompanied by the late Ray Swinburn. Ray had a somewhat aristocratic air and sported a monocle and on several occasions the pair pretended to be Lord Farndale (where Ray lived) and his valet while staying in hotels. In retirement George moved to France with his wife Lillias, who survives him. He was 85.

Our condolences go to the families and friends of both Challengers.


(Thanks to Roger Smith and Ian Shiel for the above news)

I'll raise a glass to Ray Swinburn's batman. George was a true gentleman always a pleasure to meet and never a bad word for any one.

Cheers George,to you and yours.

I have just done that Norman; there can't be too many of us left who remember them!

Characters all of them.
Derek had some interesting stories of his younger days.
George and Ray were always good for a laugh ,often going
out of their way to help other walkers. Great days and
great memories. Condolences to all.

I remember a wild wet night in the bothy in Glen Kingie with George and Ray, just the four of us with a bottle of port and a bottle of malt, great characters from the past, nothing fazed them, even when George forgot to turn up at Rannoch station with Lord Farndale's tent, he just calmly caught the last train down to the Fort for a B&B, and the first back up in the morning. Rest in Peace George