Richard Lloyd, who has died aged 81, was a longtime supporter and campaigner for the protection of the countryside.
The only child of Frank Lloyd, a commercial artist, and Elsie (nee Roberts), he was born and went to school in Gloucester – at the Crypt grammar – and he never quite lost his Gloucestershire accent. At University College London, he obtained a degree, then a master’s, in botany, and another master’s in town and country planning.
After a spell in Lincolnshire as an ecologist, in 1969 Richard joined the newly established Countryside Commission, the statutory body charged with protecting the countryside of England and Wales while helping the public to enjoy it. Richard worked for it, and its successor, the Countryside Agency, until his retirement in 2005. Those who, like me, remember Richard from the commission’s early days recall a fresh-faced young man with a joyous passion for nature. He was a natural fit for the commission.
Richard impressed and, a few years after the commission moved its headquarters from London to Cheltenham in 1974, he was running its work in the south-west. His leadership was immediately apparent. He inspired purpose, loyalty and enthusiasm among his team at the regional office in Bristol and, still in his 30s, quickly won the respect of local authorities, the National Trust, the Duchy of Cornwall and other bodies in the region.
Moving back to Cheltenham in 1987, Richard led the commission’s work in nationally important policy areas such as reviews of national parks and of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which led to new legislation with stronger protection. His work for the environment was recognised when he was appointed MBE in 2004. His personality – ebullient, positive and friendly – won him many admirers. No one on the staff inspired more affection or was held in higher regard than Richard.
In retirement he needed new outlets for his energies. He found these in the board of the Cotswolds AONB and the Gloucestershire branch of CPRE, the Countryside Charity, of which he became a very active vice-chair. He brought to the CPRE an encyclopedic knowledge of countryside matters and a capacity to draft excellent papers at very short notice.
In hospital, just two days before he died, he was concerned that the CPRE’s annual Gloucestershire awards ceremony, an event dear to his heart, should proceed smoothly in his absence.
Richard led a full life: beyond work, he enjoyed trains, choral singing, photographing rare orchids, walking and his beer.
In 1969 he married Ann Russell. She is ordained, and led the service celebrating his life. He is also survived by their children, Alison and Geoffrey.
