Pioneering women who have led the way at the Club
Since its formation in 1901, The Camping and Caravanning Club has seen many women innovating, adventuring and paving the way for new generations to come. To mark International Women’s Day on March 8th, we’ve listed below some of our inspiring female figures, past and present. Find out more about our history.
Margaret Horsfield
Margaret Horsfield was part of the first married couple to join the Club. Nicknamed “Mrs Secretary” due to her husband’s appointment to Honorary Secretary in 1902, Margaret was the first lady to ever camp with the Club. The couple – friends with Thomas Holding, the founder of modern camping – were heavily involved in the early days of camping as we know it now. Margaret was even the inventor of the wedge-shaped canvas bucket!
Elsie Wallace
In 1906 Elsie Wallace was one of the first contributors to the Club’s magazine titled “Cycle Camping”. Her article was headlined “Method or Muddle” and gave hints on being tidy in camp. Elsie didn’t stop her contributions there. A camp display and exhibition of kit and appliances opened on 21st April 1906 at Crystal Palace in London, and Elsie went on to win the “most complete camping kit” competition.
Elizabeth Lynn
Holding a special place in the Club’s history, Elizabeth Lynn was the first woman to be elected to the position of Chairman. This appointment took place in 1916 when many men involved in the Club were serving in the armed forces during World War I. We don’t know very much about Elizabeth other than the fact that she chaired five council meetings. After her last council meeting in October 1916, no other records can be found.
Hilda Richmond
Hilda Richmond, an active member of the Club’s Mountaineering Section, as it was then called, was praised for her outdoor skills by fellow climbers. Nothing got in her way, proving women were just as able to get involved in outdoor adventuring as men. Her Himalayan expedition in 1939 was sadly her last. The ascent saw Hilda and five others attempt, alongside Sherpa porters, to climb mountains in the region of Lahaul and Spiti. During the expedition, Hilda was struck on the head by a falling rock – her body is buried at the basecamp.
Molly Rayner
Molly Rayner joined the Club in 1947, taking up various posts. Molly was Secretary to the West Essex District Association, North London and Eastern Counties and Chiltern Regions. She was also Regional Representative to National Council. Most noteworthy is that Molly was the second woman to be Chairman of the Club. There hadn’t been another woman since Elizabeth Lynn in 1916.
Olive Reay MBE
Joining the Club in 1969, Olive became an active member on both national and local levels. In 1995 Olive was awarded an MBE for services to camping. Her titles included Club Chairman, President of Durham District Association and Vice-President of the Club.
Kathleen Toothill
A member of the Canoe-Camping Section of the Club for 62 years, Kathleen Toothill held various positions before her death at the age of 92. After joining the Section in 1932, Kathleen was Editor of the Canoe-Camping magazine for more than 20 years, held the positions of Treasurer and President and shared her canoe camping knowledge with others. In 1946 she rallied the Canoe-Camping Committee to get things moving in post-war Britain, and later paddled across the Channel in her canoe, toured Norway, France, Iceland and Greenland, and did all of this with courage and humour.
Pat Sheldon
In 1954, Pat Sheldon, member of the Canoe-Camping Club, was the first woman to paddle across the Channel. She also held the title of British Ladies Champion in the sport of slalom canoeing for three years. Pat was later President of the Canoe-Camping Club and a well-known face at Chertsey Club Site, with its River Thames waterside base.
Anne Dearling
Anne has been a Club member for more than 35 years and was Chairman from 2014 to 2016. During her time as a Voluntary Officer at the Club, Anne held positions at District Association, Region and National levels. Anne is a keen tourer, both in the UK and overseas, and used her Chairman’s Pitch in Camping and Caravanning magazine to share stories about her and husband Mike’s camping exploits, including encouraging more women to sign up for the Club’s caravan manoeuvring courses.
Julia Bradbury
TV presenter Julia Bradbury is an avid walker and lover of the outdoors. It's for this reason the Club welcomed Julia as President in 2013. Julia has been involved in Club events such as National Camping and Caravanning Week, presented our Owner Satisfaction Awards, and has advocated for everyone to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.
Sabina Voysey
Sabina Voysey made history as the first woman to be appointed Director General of the Club in June 2019. She joined the Club in 2002, initially as Finance Manager, later becoming Finance Director, and then Deputy Director General in 2017. A lover of the outdoors – having grown up on a farm and enjoyed many ‘camping in a tent’ holidays – Sabina appreciates the joys of walking and exploring the UK with her family – the more remote the place, the better.