Ramblers in Cornwall have expressed their deep sadness following the death of Hazel Perham, of Treverva near Falmouth, who died from cancer last Monday, February 20, at the age of 74.

Hazel was a pillar of the Ramblers Penwith and Kerrier Group and for many years was footpath secretary for Kerrier and chairman of the Cornwall Ramblers’ Access Group. Last October the Ramblers presented her with a certificate for her outstanding contribution to walking.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society and a vice-president of the Ramblers, said: "One of the best things about the long journey from my home in Buckinghamshire to West Cornwall was that Hazel was at the end of it. Always cheerful, with her delightful, mischievous smile; always busy on a useful project, Hazel was great company and a good friend.

"We ramblers will remember her most for her tireless work on Cornwall’s paths; she constantly pestered the council to deal with problems, she fought path changes which were detrimental to walkers, and she led countless walks on which she related the local history of the area. She was my heroine.

"In 1996 I was pleased to help Hazel and her colleague Maureen Donovan fight the diversion of footpaths at Manaccan. We appeared at a public inquiry at which I called Hazel as a witness and she was brilliantly unassailable. We won both the inquiry and our costs. Two years earlier she had walked the paths with a group of ramblers and was accosted by the landowner; he grabbed her and threw mud and dung at her. Such behaviour was not unknown in Cornwall in those days, but of course Hazel was undaunted.

"Such was her courage that she remained cheerful and positive through her illness. I treasured her frequent posts on Facebook when she was no longer able to walk.

"Hazel was a terrier at the heels of the council and intransigent landowners, a much-loved resident of Treverva, and a friend to so many of us. As we walk the paths of West Cornwall we shall remember the significant part she played in making this possible."

Hazel leaves a husband, Alan; sons, Robert and Matthew and grandchildren. Her funeral service will be held at the Trelawny Chapel of Penmount Crematorium, Truro, at 3pm on Friday, March 3, when mourners are asked to wear bright colours. Family flowers only, with donations going to Cancer Research.