An influential ‘friends’ organisation set up to support the management and improvement of Ilkley Moor has a new head.

Author and former Natural History Museum lecturer, John Stidworthy, has taken on the role of chairman with the Friends of Ilkley Moor (FOIM).

He succeed the organisation’s first chairman, Owen Wells, who has been a major spokesman and representative for the Friends since it was founded five years ago.

Mr Wells retired from the role at the FOIM’s annual meeting on Friday (April 19), but plans to remain on the Friends’ committee.

Mr Stidworthy, 70, and his wife, Sue, moved to Ilkley in 2010 to be near their grandchildren and enjoy the countryside.

Over the years he has written more than thirty books on natural history, most aimed at children. In Buckinghamshire, he was chairman of governors at three primary schools.

After university, Mr Stidworthy worked at the London Zoo for ten years, giving talks and tours to parties from schools and colleges. He subsequently worked at the Natural History Museum, first as a lecturer, then becoming involved in designing museum exhibits.

After ten years at the museum, his wife went back to work and he became a househusband.

Those who have worked with Mr Wells in his time as chairman paid tribute to his work.

FOIM secretary, Roger Gook, said: “Owen’s passion for the moor was one of the main factors in setting up the Friends five years ago. From those early days his enthusiasm and energy have played a large part in getting us where we are today.”

Bradford Council countryside officer, Richard Perham, said Mr Wells had been of great support to him, and had joined work parties most weeks, digging ditches and renovating footpaths.

FOIM Project Officer, Tracy Gray, said: “It has been a great privilege for me to have known and worked with Owen, to be inspired by his love and passion for Ilkley Moor and to work alongside him in improving the moors heritage.”