Club mourns executive’s death

TRIBUTES have been paid to David Welsford, Director General of The Camping and Caravanning Club, who has died after a long illness.

Mr Welsford led The Club for 12 years, through the greatest sustained period of growth in its 106-year history.

Club officials say its strength today owes much to Mr Welsford’s diplomacy and skill and not only did membership rise during his term in office but so did turnover.

A statement said: “One of David's most significant achievements was the successful creation of the joint venture between The Club and The Forestry Commission to operate 21 Camping and Caravanning Sites and three Cabin Sites.

“Forest Holidays took nearly two years of negotiations and became the first ever Private Finance Initiative between a government body and a not-for-profit organisation.”

Club Vice-President Lord Baden-Powell said: "David was an honourable and honest man who thought only of his beloved club. Like all who knew him, I am devastated to have lost such a good and loyal friend."

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