G. H. B. Ward
Encyclopedia
George Herbert Bridges Ward, known as G. H. B. Ward or Bert Ward (1876 - 14 October 1957) was an activist for walker
s' rights and a Labour Party
politician
.
Born in central Sheffield
, Ward worked as an engineer
in a local steelworks. In 1900, he founded the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers, recognised as the first working class
rambling club, with a walk around Kinder Scout
. The club was named for The Clarion
socialist newspaper.
The Clarion Rambling Club became the chief organisation campaigning for public access to the moorland areas of the Dark Peak
. As early as 1907, Ward participated in an illegal mass trespass of Bleaklow
, a forerunner of the 1932 Mass trespass of Kinder Scout
.
The Club also affiliated with the Labour Representation Committee, forerunner of the Labour Party. Ward became the first Secretary of the Sheffield Labour Representation Committee, on which he represented the Amalgamated Society of Engineers
, later becoming Chair. A major political interest was his campaign against infant mortality
, calling for increased supervision of midwives and the milk
supply and for education of mothers.
In 1910, Ward became the founding editor of the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers Club Handbook, which he used to describe the history and lore of the Peak District
and South Yorkshire
. He also successfully campaigned for the Ordnance Survey
to amend some place names, and was involved in founding the Hunter Archaeological Society. He also revised John Derry
's Across the Derbyshire Moors.
In 1912, Ward formed the Hallamshire
Footpath Preservation Society, and in 1926 he founded the Sheffield and District Federation of the Ramblers Association. An area of Lose Hill
, in the Peak District, was given to him by the Association in 1945 and named "Ward's Piece"; he subsequently presented this to the National Trust
. Ward also worked on the purchase of the Longshaw Estate
, and was a founder member of the local Youth Hostel Association.
Late in life, Ward began working at the Ministry of Labour
, and retired in 1941 to his house at Owler Bar
. In 1957, the University of Sheffield
gave Ward an honorary degree
of Master of Arts
. Ward chaired the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers until his death later in the year.
Hillwalking
In the British Isles, the terms hillwalking or fellwalking are commonly used to describe the recreational outdoor activity of walking on hills and mountains, often with the intention of visiting their summits...
s' rights and a Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Born in central Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Ward worked as an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
in a local steelworks. In 1900, he founded the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers, recognised as the first working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
rambling club, with a walk around Kinder Scout
Kinder Scout
Kinder Scout is a moorland plateau in the Dark Peak of the Derbyshire Peak District in England. Part of the moor, at 636 m above sea level, is the highest point in the Peak District, the highest point in Derbyshire, and the highest point in the East Midlands. It is accessible from the villages of...
. The club was named for The Clarion
The Clarion
The Clarion was a weekly newspaper published by Robert Blatchford, based in the United Kingdom. It was a socialist publication though adopting a British-focused rather than internationalist perspective on political affairs, as seen in its support of the British involvement in the Anglo-Boer Wars...
socialist newspaper.
The Clarion Rambling Club became the chief organisation campaigning for public access to the moorland areas of the Dark Peak
Dark Peak
The Dark Peak is the higher, wilder northern part of the Peak District in England.It gets its name because , the underlying limestone is covered by a cap of Millstone Grit which means that in winter the soil is almost always saturated with water...
. As early as 1907, Ward participated in an illegal mass trespass of Bleaklow
Bleaklow
Bleaklow is a high, largely peat covered, gritstone moorland, just north of Kinder Scout, across the Snake Pass , in the Derbyshire High Peak near the town of Glossop...
, a forerunner of the 1932 Mass trespass of Kinder Scout
Mass trespass of Kinder Scout
thumb|left|North flank of Kinder ScoutThe mass trespass of Kinder Scout was a notable act of willful trespass by ramblers. It was undertaken at Kinder Scout, Derbyshire, in the Peak District of England, on 24 April 1932, to highlight that walkers in England and Wales were denied access to areas of...
.
The Club also affiliated with the Labour Representation Committee, forerunner of the Labour Party. Ward became the first Secretary of the Sheffield Labour Representation Committee, on which he represented the Amalgamated Society of Engineers
Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union
The Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union was a British trade union. It merged with the MSF to form Amicus in 2001.The history of the union can be traced back to the formation of the "Old Mechanics" of 1826, which grew into the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in 1851...
, later becoming Chair. A major political interest was his campaign against infant mortality
Infant mortality
Infant mortality is defined as the number of infant deaths per 1000 live births. Traditionally, the most common cause worldwide was dehydration from diarrhea. However, the spreading information about Oral Re-hydration Solution to mothers around the world has decreased the rate of children dying...
, calling for increased supervision of midwives and the milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
supply and for education of mothers.
In 1910, Ward became the founding editor of the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers Club Handbook, which he used to describe the history and lore of the Peak District
Peak District
The Peak District is an upland area in central and northern England, lying mainly in northern Derbyshire, but also covering parts of Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, and South and West Yorkshire....
and South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
. He also successfully campaigned for the Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
to amend some place names, and was involved in founding the Hunter Archaeological Society. He also revised John Derry
John Derry
John Douglas Derry DFC was a British test pilot, and was the first Briton to exceed the speed of sound...
's Across the Derbyshire Moors.
In 1912, Ward formed the Hallamshire
Hallamshire
Hallamshire is the historical name for an area of South Yorkshire, England, in the current city of Sheffield.The origin of the name is uncertain. The English Place-Name Society describe "Hallam" originating from a formation meaning "on the rocks"...
Footpath Preservation Society, and in 1926 he founded the Sheffield and District Federation of the Ramblers Association. An area of Lose Hill
Lose Hill
Lose Hill lies in the Derbyshire Peak District. It is the south-west corner of the parish of Edale and the end of the Great Ridge that runs from Rushup Edge to the west .Local access activist G. H. B...
, in the Peak District, was given to him by the Association in 1945 and named "Ward's Piece"; he subsequently presented this to the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. Ward also worked on the purchase of the Longshaw Estate
Longshaw Estate
Longshaw Estate is an area of moorland, woodland and farmland located within the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, England. The Estate has been in the ownership of the National Trust since 1931 after being first bought by the people of Sheffield in 1928. It is part of the larger National...
, and was a founder member of the local Youth Hostel Association.
Late in life, Ward began working at the Ministry of Labour
Ministry of Labour
The Ministry of Labour was a British civil service department established by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act 1916. It was renamed the Employment Department in 1988, and finally abolished in 1995...
, and retired in 1941 to his house at Owler Bar
Owler Bar
Owler Bar is a small area of settlement and locally important road junction in Derbyshire, England. It lies at an altitude of 305 metres and is located just south of the county border with Sheffield, on the edge of the Peak District National Park. It lies five miles west of the town of Dronfield...
. In 1957, the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
gave Ward an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
of Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
. Ward chaired the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers until his death later in the year.