George Sharples Memorial (Grange-over-Sands)
March 2026
A few months ago Andrew King, a keen rambler who lives in Milnthorpe (Cumbria), spotted an old memorial plaque to Manchester Rambler George Sharples on a bench halfway up Hampsfell behind Grange-over-Sands.
As you can see, the plaque was only partially legible so Andrew, who wanted to get a new plaque made with the correct inscription, set out on a mission to find out more about George. He contacted our Area and, with some detective work, we discovered an internet article and photograph from August 2012 where the plaque was more legible. The words on the plaque clearly read as IN MEMORY OF GEORGE SHARPLES MANCHESTER RAMBLER DIED HERE APRIL 7th 1968
and after asking around we found that some of our current members still remembered George.
Andrew has kindly had a new plaque made in stainless steel rather than brass as it will be easier to maintain.
It looks very good and I'm sure many of our members, and maybe some groups, would like to visit the bench when walking in the area.
Andrew says While I was fixing the plaque, a passing dog-walker came to talk to us. His name is David Martin and he was the person who replaced the old rotten timber on the bench and is now planning to give it another coat of preservative. He was delighted that someone else was taking an interest.
The bench is at GR SD 404 787. I'm sure George would welcome a visit!
If you start from the Windermere Road car park in Grange-over-Sands, walk away from the village for a few hundred yards then take a narrow entrance into the woods (Eggerslack Wood) on your left and follow major paths up through the woods to George's bench. Just to the right of the bench is a small gate onto a strong path and you can easily follow your nose from there to the top of Hampsfell (GR SD 399 794).
Try and choose a clear sunny day and you will be well rewarded with a 360 degree view from the roof of the Hospice on the top of the hill. It's one of the best Value for Effort
views in the country:
- S: Morecambe Bay
- W: the coastline towards the Isle of Man
- N: the Lake District fells
- E: the Howgills and Pennines
Put a touch of snow on the tops and it's perfection!
Thanks so much to Andrew King and David Martin for all their work to ensure George will not be forgotten. Much appreciated by the current Manchester Ramblers.