The plaque is located on a wooden post beside footpath 38 that runs from Cheadle Road (A520) to Basford Bridge near The Boat public house on Basford Bridge Lane.
The brass plaque is inscribed as follows;
'IN MEMORY OF
GEORGE SHUFFLEBOTHAM
FOOTPATH OFFICER
STOKE/NEWCASTLE RAMBLERS
03.08.1940 - 14.08.2015'
George Shufflebotham was a member of the Stoke and Newcastle Ramblers Club. He compiled walking books to sell and raise funds for the group. He also devised the Monk's Way path which goes from Abbey Hulton to Bagnall. (
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George Shufflebotham - BBC Stoke and Staffordshire: Inside Lives report.
'When George and the rest of the Newcastle ramblers turned up at the Lake District for a ramble, they never thought the competition would be so tough.' (
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'For many years, the Stoke/Newcastle-under-lyme Rambler's Group has worked closely with Staffordshire County Council to maintain public rights of way in the North Staffordshire area. In more recent times, the authors have utilised volunteers to devise and record linear walks following the course of Staffordshire rivers and to include short circular walks along the length of those watercourses.
About the Author:
George Shufflebotham and Phillip Rushton, long retired, have served the Ramblers' organisation and the Staffordshire County Countryside Department for more than a decade by maintaining North Staffordshire public rights of way and, more lately, by the production of walking guides.'
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Ramblers Association Staffordshire Area Annual Report 2015.
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"It is with great sadness that I report the death of George
Shufflebotham who passed away in August after suffering from
problems sustained during his career in the coal industry. George
became the powerhouse for our Group although many of you were
unaware of his constant and energetic work, along with his wife,
Pauline, in creating a number of books of walks, including areas both
in the Peak District and in and around the Potteries. George was best
known to everyone as George Shuff. This is not an obituary on him
but a celebration of his full and eventful life. A life that touched all
who knew him, as a man who got things done. And how he got things
done!! His legacy is celebrated in the walking books he put together
with his friend, Phil Rushton, but more than that his ability to
communicate with people at all levels, whether they were in an official
capacity or just ‘people’. Those who knew him were privileged to rub
shoulders with someone who could cut through the red tape in order
to reach his chosen goal manifested many times in Rambler
discussions with the hierarchy in London. George’s enthusiasm was
infectious. His persuasive manner carried many along when striving
to win an argument in footpath problems. George is a hard act to
follow. He believed in the Ramblers’ creed and the constant fight to
keep footpaths open to all who loved the great outdoors. We all owe
him our heartfelt thanks. Thank you, George. RIP.
Richard Clamp, Secretary"