An 89-year-old “rights of way activist” has been honoured for 30 years of valiantly protecting public footpaths.

Chris Beney, 89, has been a man on a mission to protect roughly 100 public spaces and keep them open to as many people as possible – including the disabled.

The access champion from Bushey, renowned for his negotiating skills, was granted the Award for Outstanding Personal Endeavour by The Open Spaces Society – for which he is a trustee.

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Mr Beney said it was a “great surprise”, adding: “When our chairman was reading out the citation it became obvious it was for me.

“My family was chuffed, and my wife of 65 years is pleased.

“She has been very supportive of me over the years.”

The 89-year-old, who is the second ever recipient, continued: “I first got involved in saving paths when a footpath was under threat in the Elstree Aerodrome.

Watford Observer: Chris Beney is starting to replace a stile with a kissing gate near Farm Way, Bushey. Picture: Colin KnightChris Beney is starting to replace a stile with a kissing gate near Farm Way, Bushey. Picture: Colin Knight

“I couldn’t understand how the council could pass a resolution without even knowing the path was there.

“That is what triggered things for me, and I became a rights of way activist.”  

Among Mr Beney’s most notable activism was challenging the introduction of stiles – fences that stop people needing to step over to continue on a path.

The society’s chairman Phil Wadey said: “The highlight of Chris’s work has been his unique ability to reach agreement among the diverse and conflicting interests of landowners, users, councillors, and officials.

Watford Observer: Chris Beney with a new kissing gate near Farm Way, Bushey. Picture: Colin KnightChris Beney with a new kissing gate near Farm Way, Bushey. Picture: Colin Knight

“His way of dealing with people has made him able to negotiate difficult subjects well, and with resulting success.”

Mr Beney believes his engineering career formed part of why he is so determined to protect public paths.

He said: “It’s very strange, a lot of people who get involved with this used to be engineers.

“I think there is something about engineering that teaches you to get things right, it’s not so much about feelings.”

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