Tributes paid to former chairman of Stratford Ramblers - The Stratford Observer

Tributes paid to former chairman of Stratford Ramblers

Stratford Editorial 7th Feb, 2016 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former chairman of Stratford Ramblers who has died following a long battle with illness.

Roger Noyce passed away on January 25 aged 76 after suffering from the rare neurological condition, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy since 2011.

The keen sportsman attended school at KES before going on to join the NFU/Avon Insurance Company where he became Avon East regional sales manager when the companies split.

He was runner up for the insurance industry’s top award, the Morgan Owen medal, in 1989 and 1990 and managed to scoop the title at the third attempt two years later.




In his spare time, the dad-of-three played rugby for Stratford, football for FISC and was chairman of Alcester Tennis Club.

Having retired in 1995, he began walking and together with seven others, made the 1,400 mile trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats using long distance footpaths.


The grandfather-of-two joined Stratford Ramblers soon after his retirement and became chairman in 2001 – a position he held until 2008.

He wrote several walk guides and was invited to join the Outdoor Writers Guild but left the group in 2011 when he became ill with the condition, which robs people of their ability to walk, talk, see and swallow.

Paying tribute, wife Margaret, said: “Those who knew Roger will remember him as being loyal, honest and caring – the three core values that were reflected in all he did.

“He had a big heart, full of love and humour, which helped those around him get through life’s difficulties including seeing him battle with an awful degenerative disease.

“He will never be forgotten and will live on in the treasured memories that remain.”

Current Ramblers chairwoman, Penny Stott, added: “Many Stratford members and guest ramblers will have walked with Roger over the years and know him from the days when he was chairman.

“He put in many hard hours of work for the group organising our holidays and days away as well as all the chairman duties and will be greatly missed.”

His funeral will take place on Wednesday (February 10) at Oakley Wood South Chapel from noon.

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