Chris walks in the shadow of mystery and intrigue

CHRIS . . . the action man who has travelled the world

Martyn MEETS....security consultant Chris Maylor

A RIDDLE within a mystery wrapped in an enigma, said Winston Churchill of Russia.

The words sprang to mind as I sat with Chris Maylor in the cafe at Tesco Westwood.

Chris is a man of colliding contrasts, a past shrouded in mystery and an obscure profession.

There were certain areas he simply refused to debate, for a variety of reasons.

The Royton family man spoke constantly of his home life, for example, but never once said his partner’s name. Though he did say his 13-year-old son is a talented, competitive swimmer - and they do lots of stuff together. And I mean lots...

Chris (44) is as rugged as a Chris Ryan action hero: if there’s an outdoor pursuit he hasn’t tackled it’s only because he hasn’t heard of it yet. He’s the embodiment of Action Man, happiest in the great outdoors with the sky as his limit and the horizon his goal.

Which is the main reason we were chatting. This charismatic, enigmatic man has published a book — “Saddleworth Discovery Walks” (www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk for info).

He makes his living not as an author but as a security consultant, travelling the world. His last job was in Dubai, talking to people in shipping. And that’s most of the detail he would offer.

He elaborated a little: “After 9/11, airline security was tightened to such a degree that the terrorists would need another avenue. There was a general feeling the next big terrorist target would be ships. So I advise on security for big ships.”

He said the biggest problem on the high seas is currently piracy: apparently the British Government now allows some vessels under the Britsh flag to carry weapons in some waters.

Those of you who have seen the Tom Hanks film “Captain Phillips” will understand when Chris says determined armed men in fast boats will get on board any vessel if they are determined enough.

Chris’s background is that he spent 12 years in the army. But that’s all he will say..

He was born on Shiloh Farm in the hills towards Stanedge and spent his childhood wandering, with a couple of pals, a rucksack of food and Rick the dog for company. His younger brother Adrian would often join them.

In his early teens Chris’s family moved to the Fylde coast and a new life. Chris studied at Blackpool and Fylde College and worked as a lifeguard in Fleetwood, as well as runnig gym and sport sessions.

He had always had an interest in martial arts and at 18 started his own club: “It was my passion, I just loved it. I also got into Brazilian ju jitsu and began submission fighting — the forerunner of what is now known as cage fighting.” In 1998 he realised a lifetime ambition when he was crowned British champion.

By now he had met his partner and moved back to Royton to be exact. His love of the moors had never been far from his thoughts and he took up running with Saddleworth Runners, of which he is now chair.

While on the moors with his son he found an emaciated dog: “it was clearly scared”; so he carried it to the van and was promptly bitten on the hand. For two weeks his swollen limb meant he couldn’t work, so he returned to walking the moors.

“I took a Dictaphone and recorded everything I saw and all the routes. Then I spent time researching the walks and adding explanations about places and incidents around the routes.

“So my book is more than just describing 20 of my favourite walks around Saddleworth; it is about the place, the characters and the stories.”

Chris intends a follow up - but of Oldham’s urban landscape, rather than is open moors.

“There are lots of walks around Oldham that are fascinating. That will be my next book project.” Not that he has any idea when it will get written: he still travels the world as a security consultant.

He recently got involved with Mahdlo, the Oldham “youth zone”.

“It is a magnificent facility for the young people of Oldham. I initially helped with the climbing wall, but I also now help with all the outdoor activities.”

One of these involved taking 10 youngsters on an Youth Trust sailing trip. “We sailed out into the North Sea and it was a life-changing experience for everyone who went. We had to not only crew the vessel but also cook and clean and get on as a team.”

Such was the vitality surrounding the experience he has ambitions to enter a Mahdlo team in the Tall Ships Race.

That’s for the future, of course. But Chris Maylor’s future is a pretty crowded place...