A FORMER Horton-in-Ribblesdale man who became an esteemed journalist and author has died at the age of 86.

Tony Greenbank was born in Settle and after leaving his respective schools of Horton and Giggleswick began a career as a librarian in Kendal.

In 1952 he completed his National Service with the RAF before returning to Kendal Library and later Whitehaven Library. Around 1958 he began his illustrious career as an author and journalist alongside becoming an outdoor instructor at Outward Bound, in Eskdale.

Over the years Tony has had many books published including numerous climbing, walking and survival books. He was a revered journalist and columnist for over 50 years starting with the Eagle and continuing with many publications including Newsquest Cumbria where he was fondly remembered for his Bar Spy column. A friend recounted: “He went to the worst pubs in Cumbria so we didn’t have to:”

Tony also covered sporting events across the county and wrote for Cumbrian magazine, Cumbria Life, among others. He was bequeathed the Guardian’s Lake District Country diary column by Harry Griffin OBE which he wrote for well over 10 years until 2018.

His career in writing led to many, often hilarious television appearances in both Britain and America, following a stint in New York in the 1970s.

Tony enjoyed a great love of the outdoors and climbing in particular, creating many routes. Dangerous climbs were something of a penchant for him, such as his love for night-time ice climbs with one friend remembering that they were usually ‘very relieved to reach the top’.

The latter part of his life was spent living in and around Ambleside before finally moving to Keswick.

He continued writing until the end and the family are pleased he can return to his childhood village of Horton which he visited regularly and always held a treasured place in his heart.

His close childhood friend, Donald, remembers playing cricket with Tony until dusk and beyond during their long childhood summers in Horton.

Universally remembered by friends and colleagues alike as a thoughtful man and a wonderful raconteur with a wicked sense of humour, Tony leaves four children: Mark, Hannah, Heather and Rebecca; four grandchildren: Harry, Billy, Isabel and Josh and his brother John and family.

Tony’s funeral is to be held at St Oswald’s Church, Horton in Ribblesdale, at 1.30pm on Tuesday, August 18.

Numbers inside the church will be severely restricted due to the pandemic.