Sussex walks writer Ben Perkins dies, aged 86

Dr Ben Perkins filed his first walking column for The Argus in 1984 to encourage others to explore the East Sussex countryside he loved so much.

The GP, who lived in Patcham, Brighton, died from oesophageal cancer on June 6.

Described as a “fabulous father, husband, father-in-law and grandfather”, Ben will be remembered not just for his work as a well-respected GP but for his broad catalogue of Sussex walking guides.

Ben, far right, and from left to right: his son David, son-in-law Phillip, daughter Elspeth, grandson Fin, grandson Hugo, daughter Clare, granddaughter Ella, and grandson Scott

He had 14 books published, including Sussex Border Path in 1983 – a guide to the 150-mile footpath route around the borders of East and West Sussex, linking Emsworth with Rye, which he designed and co-wrote with Aeneas Mackintosh.

He contributed a detailed walking column to The Argus every fortnight for 28 years until 2012, and aimed to draw ramblers’ attention to lesser-known paths and walks with a good variety of landscapes.

After he retired in 1997, Ben was able to walk at least three times a week, often favouring the High Weald, which he described as having “something new around every corner”.

Ben with his grandson Fin

Ben was a founding member of the Brighton and Hove Sussex Ramblers Group in 1982, but did not become an active member until 2016, when he was “rarely absent” from one of the group’s weekly walks.

Mike Bates, a fellow member of the Ramblers group, paid tribute to Ben and said: “Sussex has lost arguably its foremost ambassador for walking and rambling in the county. To most local ramblers, Ben was simply ‘Mr Sussex Walker’.

“Those of us who were privileged to walk with Ben will remember him as a knowledgeable and unassuming colleague.

“Universally popular, he had an equable manner, always cheerful, always ready to offer advice, always positive – a true gentleman of the countryside.”

Ben on his 80th birthday with his children Elspeth, Clare and David

Ben leaves behind his brother Adrian, half brothers Alex, Christopher and sister Rosaleen, as well as three children – Clare, David and Elspeth, and four grandchildren – twins Ella and Scott, 17, Hugo, 15, and Fin, ten.

Ben’s children hope to get his name on a Brighton and Hove Bus one day, and said they have been “overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for our dad since he died”.

His funeral will take place on July 2, but will be a private service due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However donations can be made to Macmillan Cancer Support in Ben’s memory at dignityfunerals.co.uk.