Tribute to Viv Lewis

We were deeply saddened to hear that Viv Lewis died on the 19th December 2025 after a two year brave and uncomplaining struggle with a rare form of cancer. Many people will know that Viv Lewis was the Foundation for Common Land’s first Program Manager and wrote our constitution as a charity in 2013. She served as Programme Manager for over eight years and during this time showed her absolute commitment to working with commoners, the owners of Common land and many other organisations to deliver better outcomes for Commons. Viv was directly involved in our test and trials funded by Defra and also in the development phase of Our Upland Commons where she served as the facilitator for the Lake District and was coordinator for the trialling of our SFI Digital Tool.

To many of us, Viv was both a friend as well as a colleague; a person committed to justice both environmental and social and was superb at leading by serving the communities she was committed to. Viv will be deeply missed by many across England’s Commons where she brought together many voices.

Tribute from Julia Aglionby on behalf of the FCL Staff and Trustees

Remembering Viv

Viv was Administrator for the Federation of Cumbria Commoners for fifteen years. She was passionate about the traditions of communal grazing and fought for policies to support it and for the rights of active commoners. Viv was equally at home chatting with a group of graziers as she was lobbying policy makers. her enthusiasm and energy will be greatly missed and she will be a hard act to follow.

On behalf of the Federation committee members, I offer our condolences to Richard and her family. She will certainly be missed.

Tribute from John Rowland, Chair of the Federation of Cumbria Commoners