Memories from Ken Beetham’s albums

From Virginia Castick and Dave Shotton

Ken Beetham’s photo collection was passed on to the club by his family. Here are a couple of examples, presumably taken by Ken but the dates are unknown.

Left: Bowden Black and Derek Seddon (left to right) in Laddow Cave.
Bowden was a prominent member of the club from 1945 until his death in May 1997, his wife Millie joined a couple of years later (and was renowned for her long-distance walks) and died in April 1994.

The cover photo shows Millie Black on the traverse of The Mermaid's Ridge on Kinder (Downfall Area) - currently graded VS 4c even though first ascended in 1910 (by Siegfried Herford who was way ahead of his time with regard to the grades he led, including the first HVS in Britain in 1914 I believe!)