Ken Drabble
A Peak District outdoors pioneer who helped set up mountain rescue in the national park has died.
Ken Drabble, the park’s retired chief ranger, passed away aged 79.
He spent 30 years working in the Peak District, and was responsible for many innovations and opening up access to walkers in the area.
Mr Drabble, who was born in New Mills, said in an interview for the Moor Memories oral history project: “As a boy I could see Kinder Scout from my bedroom.
“When I came out of the Royal Marines I saw an advert asking for wardens to patrol Kinder Scout.
“I already practised up there for mountain rescue, so I thought if I could get paid for walking on Kinder I’d have a go.”
He was appointed one of the national park’s first six assistant wardens in 1964 and in the same year took part in a night-time search for survivors of the Four Inns Walk in appalling conditions when three young Rover Scouts died.
The tragedy led to the formation of the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation in which Mr Drabble played a key role, helping set up a mountain rescue control centre and a ‘snatch squad’ system for quick response which is still used today.
Ken Drabble, right, in action rescuing a sheep from the snow in the 1960s
He was the first warden in Longdendale, then transferred to Edale, becoming head warden in 1970.
In 1974 the wardens were renamed rangers and he became chief ranger in 1986.
A Peak District National Park spokesperson said: “In the early days, large tracts of moorland were closed, but Ken managed new access agreements for walkers, getting on easily with landowners, waterworks managers, gamekeepers and farmers and resolving the concerns of local people.
“He was also innovative in footpath management. On the Pennine Way, he brought in old flagstones from demolished mills to cross the deep peat moorlands, reducing severe erosion.
“And he was forward-looking in introducing Argocat all-terrain vehicles for conservation work and moorland firefighting.
Mr Drabble remembered tackling wildfires: “We used to dig trenches, use beaters and backpack sprays. Really it was hard work, and it could be dangerous if the wind was in the wrong direction.
“Nowadays they can deal with these fires much more quickly with the Peak District Fire Operations Group and better equipment.”
Authority chair Tony Favell, who lives in Edale, said: “I grew to admire Ken when he was based in Edale. He was one of the great characters who helped the ranger service grow into what it is today.
“Rangers have to be many things: guides, conservationists, educators, emergency support, negotiators and even diplomats. Ken was all these things and more – we owe him a great debt.”
Mr Drabble and all the early pioneers of the Peak District national park ranger service, the UK’s first, will be remembered when the service celebrates its 60th anniversary later this year.
He leaves his wife, Erica, two sons, a daughter and grandchildren. His funeral is on Monday 20 January at Stockport Crematorium.
