The BMC is sad to announce the unexpected passing of Gareth Pierce, former Chair of the BMC and dedicated volunteer, who became unwell while walking Aran Fawddwy mountain in southern Snowdonia on Saturday, 3 July.

Mae’n drist gan y CMP i gyhoeddi marwolaeth annisgwyl Gareth Pierce, cyn Gadeirydd y CMP a gwirfoddolwr ymroddgar, a ddaeth yn sâl wrth gerdded ar fynydd Aran Fawddwy yn Ne Eryri ar Ddydd Sadwrn, y 3ydd o Orffennaf.

Gareth Pierce, one of the strongest voices for Wales in the BMC, will always be remembered for his huge passion for the hills and mountains of his country and being a key member of Clwb Mynydda Cymru since its inception in 1979. Gareth’s calm and considerate approach helped smooth the BMC’s road through a tumultuous time of changes when he stepped up into his role as Chair of the BMC Board, and his general positive and supportive attitude quickly gained the respect from all that worked with him, including the staff of the BMC.

Aside from his role as Chair of the BMC Board, Gareth was also instrumental in the creation of the Wales Committee, a vital structure that benefits all BMC members who walk, climb and mountaineer in the beautiful landscapes of Wales, and he remained a dedicated member after stepping down as a Director.

Gareth was not only a stalwart of the BMC, he also greatly contributed to Welsh public life, especially in the education sector, and most recently chaired the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Board of Directors.

While out walking with his mountaineering club, Gareth suffered an immediate cardiac arrest and despite the best efforts of his companions, local mountain rescue team, and the Coastguard Rescue helicopter from Caernarfon, it was not possible to revive him.

The BMC will always remember Gareth’s gentle nature and willingness to listen and provide thoughtful, considered counsel. Everyone at the BMC send their deepest condolences to Gareth’s wife Lynwen and sons Gwyn and Siôn.

Andy Syme, BMC President, says: “Taking over at a difficult and busy period, in the 18 months Gareth was Chair of the Board he worked incredibly hard for the BMC. A Welshman through and through, Gareth was a strong supporter of the Welsh voice in the BMC, which was strengthened under his leadership through the formation of the Welsh Committee; a body he remained part of even after relinquishing his role as Board Chair. A gentleman who always tried to build consensus and move people forwards together, he will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

Paul Davies, BMC CEO, says: “I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gareth yesterday. Gareth had a lifelong passion for the outdoors, and had been a part of the BMC family for many years – serving the BMC as Chair of the Board between 2018-2020. He was a respected and valued member of our community, someone who was incredibly supportive of the staff and the wider work of the BMC. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and especially by those of us who had the pleasure to work with him.”

Roedd Gareth Pierce yn un o leisiau prin y CMP yng Nghymru, ac y bydd yn cael ei gofio am ei angerdd anferthol am fryniau a mynyddoedd ei wlad, a bu’n aelod allweddol o Glwb Mynydda Cymru ers ei sefydliad yn 1979. Roedd ei ffordd bwyllog a meddylgar yn help i esmwytho amser trafferthus yn hanes y BMC pan safodd i fod yn Gadeirydd i Fwrdd y CMP, ac roedd ei agwedd bositif a chefnogol yn un a enillodd barch gan bawb a weithiodd gydag ef, gan gynnwys staff y CMP.

Yn ogystal a’u waith fel Cadeirydd Bwrdd y CMP, roedd Gareth hefyd yn hollbwysig yng nghread Pwyllgor Cymru, strwythur hanfodol sy’n creu bydd i holl aelodau’r CMP sy’n cerdded, dringo, a mynydda yn nhirwedd hyfryd Cymru, ac fe arhosodd yn aelod ymroddgar ar ôl sefyll lawr fel cyfarwyddwr.

Nid yn unig yr oedd Gareth yn asgwrn cefn i’r CMP, fe gyfrannodd yn anferthol i fywyd cyhoeddus Cymreig, yn enwedig ym maes addysg, ac yn fwyaf diweddar, fe gadeiriodd Fwrdd Cyfarwyddwyr y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Tra’n cerdded a’i glwb mynydda, dioddefodd Gareth ataliad y galon ac er gwaethaf ymdrechion ei gyfeillion, y tîm achub mynydd lleol, a’r Hofrennydd Achub Gwylwyr y Glannau o Gaernarfon, doedd hi ddim yn bosib i’w adfer.

Bydd y CMP wastad yn cofio Gareth a’i natur fwyn, a’i barodrwydd i wrando a rhoi cyngor meddylgar, ystyriol. Mae pawb yn y CMP yn gyrru eu mawr gydymdeimlad i wraig Gareth, Lynwen, a’i feibion Gwyn a Siôn.

Dywedodd Andy Syme, Llywydd y CMP: “Gan gymryd yr awenau mewn cyfnod anodd a phrysur, gweithiodd Gareth yn anhygoel o galed  dros y CMP yn ystod ei gyfnod wrth y llyw. Cymro i’r carn, roedd Gareth yn eiriolwr cryf o blaid llais Cymru o fewn y CMP, a gryfhaodd o dan ei arweiniad drwy ffurfiad Pwyllgor Cymru; corff a fu yn rhan ohoni hyd yn oed ar ôl gorffen ei swydd fel Cadeirydd y Bwrdd. Gwr bonheddig a geisiodd greu consensws a symud pobl ymlaen gyda’i gilydd, bydd y golled yn fawr i’w deulu a’i ffrindiau.”

Dywedodd Paul Davies, Prif Swyddog y CMP: “Cefais sioc, a fy nhristáu yn fawr ar ôl dysgu am farwolaeth Gareth ddoe. Roedd gan Gareth angerdd drwy ei oes at yr awyr agored, a bu’n rhan o deulu’r CMP am lawer o flynyddoedd – drwy fod yn Gadeirydd Bwrdd y CMP rhwng 2018 a 2020. Roedd yn aelod gwerthfawr ac uchel ei barch, o’r gymuned, rhywun a oedd yn anhygoel o gefnogol o’r staff ac o waith ehangach y CMP. Bydd ei golled yn drist i bawb a oedd yn ei adnabod, ac yn enwedig gennym ni a gafodd y pleser o weithio ac ef.”

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