Peter Melchett (Obituary, 4 September) was an unmitigated good thing. I first met him when he became president of the Ramblers’ Association in the 1980s. I groaned in advance when we appointed a hereditary peer as president, but my prejudice turned to shame when he appeared at (I think) his first meeting of the executive committee wearing a large badge reading “Coal Not Dole” (it was during the year-long miners’ strike). Unlike most of his predecessors Peter was a hands-on president, regularly attending EC meetings and taking full part in our discussions. After his three years as president ended he stood for election as an ordinary EC member and was repeatedly and triumphantly elected. I always envied his easy manner, his ability to express strong views without offending and his equable temper, which he never lost. I mourn his death.
David Rubinstein
York
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