A founding member of Richmond Ramblers and creator of the Thames Path died in April this year, aged 89.

David Sharp, a leading member of the Ramblers’ Association and its publicist for many years, died on April 20. His wife Margaret, also part of Richmond Ramblers and many community projects within the borough, died on May 15, also aged 89.

Mr Sharp was born in Kent in 1926 and became the architect of the Thames Path National Trail, which runs for 184 miles between the Cotswolds to Greenwich and was named the world’s second-best urban walk after Rio de Janeiro’s Tijuca Forest walk.

He was offered an MBE after the path opened in 1996 but found it at odds with his political views, so turned the offer down.

Mr Sharp settled with Margaret in Barnes after meeting on a West London Ramblers excursion and had three children, Jeremy, Anthony and Cathy.

Mr Sharp was also involved with the Barnes Tidy Group and Friends of Barnes Common as well as Richmond Ramblers with Margaret, who worked with disabled groups in Barnes, Third World Link and the Environment Group.

Cathy Sharp said her parents were fairly easy-going outdoor types and rarely strict with her and her siblings.

She said: "As a child I remember lots of playing on the common or exploring by the river, and holidays were walking holidays."

Secretary of Richmond Ramblers, Vic Lewis, a friend and colleague of Mr Sharp’s for 10 years, said: "He was a very modest chap with a very dry wit as well."