PETER BARRON about his excitement at being a leader of The Big Smile AS an only child, growing up with the beautiful Derwent Valley on his doorstep, Richard Ellis had “the best playground in the world”. Forests, rivers, hills, and wildlife have been part of his life for as long as he can remember. “It was just always where I felt most at home – out in the countryside and the fresh air,” he says. It is a passion that has stayed with him throughout his life, leading to him serving all over the world with the Royal Marines and qualifying as a mountain leader.