Image David Welsford, Director General of the Camping and Caravanning Club, has died at the age of 58. Director General of the Camping and Caravanning Club for the past 12 years, David had been suffering from a protracted illness.

David joined the Club in 1990 as Director of Administration, becoming Director General in 1995. The past 12 years have seen the greatest sustained period of growth in its 106-year history. The strength of The Club today owes much to his diplomacy and skill. During his term in office, membership of The Club has risen from 260,000 to more than 440,000, its turnover has increased three-fold and the number of Club Sites available to members has grown from 80 to more than 100.

David also led The Club to greater financial prosperity with turnover rising from £10m to £41m. As a not-for-profit organisation this has enabled The Club to put money back into camp sites across the UK from which members and non- members alike can derive so much pleasure. Over £50m has been spent on the acquisition and redevelopment of camp sites adding over 20 to an ever increasing network which now exceeds 100 award-winning Club Sites.

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 3 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. With increased popularity of camping, David too saw the need to establish more camp site pitches. Franchising has brought 10 new camp sites to The Club's network in just 4 years. Rural sustainability was a cause close to David's heart and he oversaw The Club's increased involvement in this area.

During the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 he led the campaign to encourage members to continue camping and caravanning and support rural business. He was also instrumental in The Club's Eat Local campaign from its beginning in 2003. David's commitment to The Club and its members was reflected in the energy he gave to many related lobby groups. He was secretary of the Leisure Sector Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team. This Home Office sponsored body has enabled a 50 per cent reduction in caravan thefts over the past three years, much of this only possible because of David's help and initiatives.

As a member of the board of the Heart of England Tourist Board he worked to increase and improve tourism across the Midlands. David was also committed to supporting all those who worked for The Club. Over 600 staff are now employed, 180 in Coventry at its headquarters and almost 500 staff on camp sites throughout the UK, proving a significant increase over the last 10 years. In 2004 Investor in People accreditation was gained and then successfully continued this year. Lord Baden-Powell, Club Vice-President, commented: "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." His views were reinforced by Club Chairman, Nev Ramsbottom: "David's major contribution was in making The Camping and Caravanning Club the modern and efficient organisation it is today. It was a pleasure and honour to work with him." David's door was always open whether work related or just to talk about his favourite past time, golf - he will be sadly missed by everyone who he worked with and by those he met along the way. David leaves a partner, Lis Oldis. « go back