UKH

A programme about W. A. Poucher, I've just listened to this on iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hf12x I'm not sure how much longer it will be available for, but it's well worth listening to.

In reply to Mark Kemball:

I think that this is a repeat of an old program, which was well worth listening to. I still look at my Poucher books, which I bought in the early seventies when I began hillwalking.

In reply to wilkesley:

Yes, I'm fairly certain it's a repeat - it's via Radio 4 Extra.

In reply to Mark Kemball:

My pal Warbeck and I have long both been big fans of Poucher. One little-known fact is that in the famous TV clip from 1980 where Grace Jones slaps Russell Harty, Poucher is one of the other guests, looking slightly bemused by it all:

youtube.com/watch?v=iz_UHLfZKAA&

In reply to Mark Kemball:

Poucher's book Soap Perfumes and Cosmetics (or some such title) is still considered a "bible" in the personal care products industry.

In reply to Mark
Thanks for the link, there are some nice reminiscences in there from Dennis Gray of him turning up at the Cow and calf to chat and take photographs back in the 50s whilst wearing make up. Poucher seemed like a most distinguished and unusual man. Good discussion of his books, and their rather flowery language - each hilltop a 'lofty eminence', each viewpoint a 'belvedere' and when it snowed the hills were 'in their full winter raiment'. We need a bit more of that.

In reply to michaelb1:

Not a man afraid of giving offence! Went to Plynlimon last weekend partly inspired by the totally contemptuous write up Poucher gave it in his Welsh Peaks: 'There is absolutely nothing to relieve the monotony of the landscape on this route...'

On the other hand, I first came across his Scottish Peaks when I was 15, page after page of wonderful mountain photos to inspire. They still do.

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
I hope you enjoyed Plynlimon (and remembered to bring wellies for the walk-in). I used to really like going up there!

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
"On the other hand, I first came across his Scottish Peaks when I was 15, page after page of wonderful mountain photos to inspire. They still do."

Just got mine off the shelf, dated 1967 by me. The first climbing guide I ever bought!