Family fun

The McNieces (left) and their new friends, the Bunts (right),http://www.derwentwater.org/activities.php pose outside the hostel during their Family Activity Holiday

The Easter holiday seems to be the time when many of you start planning your annual family holiday.  If you want a break that the family can participate in together, then you might like to consider a Family Activity Holiday, which provides action-packed fun right here in the heart of the Lake District.

Last year, three generations of the McNiece family from Hampshire took part in one of our Activity Holidays, where they made friends with the Bunt family.  Here’s what the McNieces had to say about their experience:

“What a fantastic holiday! All three generations of the family loved every minute. The hostel was beautiful, inside and out, and the staff bent over backwards to accommodate us from the booking stages to the end of the holiday. The food especially was outstanding, we didn't eat out once. The activities were very well organised and both challenging and great fun, rain or shine. We got hot, cold and sometimes very wet but did not stop smiling once. There was an age gap of nearly 60 years across our three generations but we were all able to take part in all of the activities and ended each day exhausted but very happy. Boy did we sleep well!

Great holiday, great value, many thanks to all involved.”

In fact, the McNieces loved it so much they have booked again for this year!  They are testament to the fact that this holiday has something for everyone, no matter what your age. If you would like any more information on the holidays you can look at our website. To book or make an enquiry, contact us at contact@derwentwater.org or on 017687 77346 – we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Dates: 22 July; 29 July; 4 August; 11 August, 18 August;  25 August;  27 October
Price: £380 for adults; £340 for 10 – 17 years; £300 for 8 & 9 years

"If you are thinking about your summer break, you will be pleased to know that we still have availability for the school summer holidays and weekends throughout the summer months - we would be delighted to see you again!"

Kathy, Manager of Derwentwater Youth Hostel

Staff reunion

Assistant past and present Pez Bullen, and ex-warden Annette Mikkelsen having great fun dancing at the Ceilidh

To mark 50 years of Barrow House being a youth hostel, and to celebrate its rescue from closure and subsequent independence, Kathy and Dave decided to arrange a reunion weekend of  ex-staff going right back to the late 1970s. The invitation was for a reunion weekend in March, including a Saturday night party and Ceilidh.

The response was fantastic!  More than 30 ex-staff came with their partners and children to the party. There were staff representing the 70s, 80s, 90s and the noughties, including ex-Wardens Pete and Annette who were assistants in the late 70s, Kathy and Dave who were assistants together in the 80s and Pez Bullen, still an assistant at the hostel, who first worked here in the 80s. There were also a number of “honorary” ex-staff – people who worked for other hostels but who had close ties with Derwentwater Youth Hostel.

It was also lovely to see the next generation of hostel workers with their parents – from 8 week old baby Martha to a more grown-up Amy aged 12. There were also two sets of twins – is there something in the water at Barrow House I wonder?

Everyone had a brilliant time at the party on the Saturday night.  Kathy and Nicola were seen to be strutting their stuff to the Ceilidh band, Mazurka, and they weren’t the only ones enjoying the music and dancing. The Ceilidh got young and old up on their feet and is highly recommended to anyone wanting a party at Derwentwater. Ex-hostel worker Carol Suddaby’s partner Dom plays in the band – so there is a hostel connection even there! 

Their time at Derwentwater Youth Hostel is a treasured memory for so many staff. Ex-Warden Pete Barron said “The people we worked with made the job memorable for lots of reasons! There have only been 3 sets of managers at Barrow House since 1961 –that must be some kind of record and, if nothing else, confirms the magic of Barrow House”.  John Beetham, an ex-Senior Assistant, shared his experience working at the hostel: “I came to Barrow House in 2004 and, as for many who worked here, it was to be the start of a whole new life.  The best 3 years of my working life followed.  Great friends, great food, a shared love of the outdoors and of course meeting my wife”

The party was so successful that people want more; everyone is keen for this to become an annual event.  I think Kathy and Dave are already planning it…

Eye of the storm - before……

The tornado damage on the path and through the fence

In January the hostel was in the eye of a small tornado which wreaked havoc and devastation in the grounds by the waterfall.  A large tree came down and smashed the path below, blocking access to and from the waterfall.

But last month, some knights in shining armour appeared in the shape of 12 students from Wakefield College, all doing their BTEC Level 2 Uniform Public Service course.  For one of their projects they all have to do voluntary work.  Shakil Ashraf, their College tutor said the idea of volunteering was for them “to have fun and learn valuable life skills. Not only is it highly beneficial to the students but it will also enhance their CVs”. The students had the choice of voluntary projects in London, in Morocco, or here at the hostel – luckily for us, these 17 year old students chose us!

Eye of the storm - after

Jan, one of the BTCV leaders, showing the boys how to safely saw up the tree for removal from the path

Under the guidance and expertise of tutors from British Trust of Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) they worked phenomenally hard, clearing the fallen tree and chopping and sawing up the wood.  They then set to rebuild the path, learning new skills and craftsmanship along the way. “We had to use a two-handled saw.  It hurts your arms and is really tiring, but it’s a proper laugh” said 17 year old Macaulay Lyons.  In addition, they tackled some drystone walling – a task that seems to be as much about tenacity and patience as skill. “It’s really hard – you have to get everything perfect.  It’s quite stressful when you don’t get the right stones to fit.  But you feel so good about yourself when you pick up a random rock and it fits perfectly” said student Ryan Harrison.

As a reward for all their hard work the students had an afternoon off to go Gyhll Scrambling. Natasha Beckett, the lone girl in the group, showed the boys how it was done by jumping right in, despite her trepidations beforehand.

Thanks to all the students’ great efforts, the path is now transformed and access to the waterfall is possible once more.  Shakil was very pleased with the group: “They’ve just got on with it, no moaning and groaning. They all tried hard and have done very well.  And they’d do it again because they really enjoyed it”.  He also praised the hostel, “Everybody here is really lovely, and the hostel is amongst the most beautiful scenery”.  And we have only praise for the industrious students and can’t thank them and BTCV enough for all their hard graft and cheerfulness, and for achieving so much during their stay.

Staff Go Ape!

Nicola dangles precariously among the treetops whilst trying to get across a bridge made of rope swings!

Three intrepid hostel staff decided to go in search of their inner Tarzan and take advantage of a complimentary trip to Go Ape, the treetop adventure in Whinlatter Forest Park.  Our Senior Assistant, Nicola Leah; Beate Fichl, our volunteer; and yours truly (that’s me, Ed) decided to challenge ourselves on the highest course in the country, at 360 metres above sea level.

The course involves climbing rope ladders up trees and then crossing from tree to tree via a variety of wibbly-wobbly causeways made of ropes and planks (all high up off the ground, don’t forget!) There are also lengthy zip wires and a particularly daring Tarzan Swing right at the end, which Nicola showed us all how to do with great gusto and lots of shrieking. “You’ve just got to go for it – it’s brilliant fun!” she said.  Beate displayed oodles of style as she demonstrated time and time again how to do textbook perfect landings from the zip wires – the rest of us rather inelegantly landed backwards and bottom first. As for me, I was just glad to overcome my fears and complete the course. All this adrenalin and exertion was rewarded with tea and wonderful homemade cake in nearby Siskins Cafe.

We had a great time and our thanks go to all at Go Ape and Siskins.  It’s a great fun half day activity for children and adults alike, and we found it a brilliant bonding experience. Even if treetop adventure isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, there are plenty of other things to do in Whinlatter Forest Park and it is all accessible by bus from the bottom of hostel drive.  So, are any of you up for the Go Ape challenge?

Ruby wedding anniversary celebrations

Bob and Sally Auld cut into the cake made by their daughter Katy to celebrate 40 years together

Bob and Sally Auld bought 30 of their extended family, representing 3 generations, to the hostel to help them celebrate 40 years’ of marriage. 

On Saturday afternoon our staff did them proud with a lavish celebration buffet, and their daughter Katy made them a beautiful anniversary cake.  There were many speeches from various members of the party, including a contribution from Joe Erdodi who made a heartfelt tribute thanking Sally and Bob for their hospitality to the dozens of central Europeans who have found a welcome in their home over the last twelve years.  Bob thanked Sally for her constant love and support – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! 

Later on, a happy evening was spent reliving old times with a slide show of family photos. Many of the guests also recorded their memories and drawings on large sheets of card to capture special moments of Sally and Bob’s 40 years together. The next morning, many of the party took advantage of the glorious weather and went kayaking on the lake or took the Launch for a trip around Derwent Water. 

Bob Auld said." We were delighted with our party. Kathy and Dave and their staff were brilliant. I found planning the day with Kathy enjoyable, Dave's food was great and there were excellent local beers to drink. The location on the day was the best place to be in England – where else could you be visited by red squirrels, deer and woodpeckers, whilst eating your celebratory meal? In the other direction, the view of Derwentwater was sublime. We brought a wide range of guests many of whom had little experience of Youth Hostels and everyone I spoke to had really enjoyed it. I thought the event was much more enjoyable at Derwentwater than it would have been in many a five star hotel. We'll be back."

Thank you Bob – Kathy and Dave and the team very much enjoyed having you there for your special weekend and we look forward to seeing you again.  And if any of you have a special family occasion coming up then do get in touch – we would love to be the venue for you.

Living life on the edge…

The students pose on the top of Blencathra after crossing Sharp Edge

In mid-March the hostel welcomed 18 students aged between sixteen and eighteen from Blackburn College in Lancaster.   They are all sports students, studying for their BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sport.

As you can imagine, the main purpose of their visit was to get stuck into some outdoor activities. Luckily for them the hostel is superbly placed to experience a wide range of activities.  Down on the lake, just at the bottom of the drive, they had a go at raft building – which apart from being challenging and fun is a brilliant team-building exercise. They also enjoyed walking on water – courtesy of Water Rollerz , which are inflatable tubes which you get inside and walk or run in to move across the lake .  They were spoilt for choice for their mountain walk – there are so many to choose from right on our doorstep!  In the end the students chose the route to Blencathra via Sharp Edge, which is no easy undertaking.  It was a great challenge for the leaders and students alike, but under the tuition of Keswick Adventure Centre they all conquered Sharp Edge and gained the summit. It’s an amazing achievement and they were all really buzzing after doing it – you can see how pleased they were from their team photo taken on the summit.

Tutor Gretel Jackson said “We had excellent service from staff and the students were made to feel extremely welcome.  The standard of accommodation is excellent for the price”.  We are very pleased that the students all had such a good time at the hostel and in the surrounding area. The hostel is an ideal base for sports students since there are so many activities on the doorstep, and they can be arranged so that each group gets the right balance of activities they need.  If you are interested in bringing a group of sports students, or any group, then get in touch with us at contact@derwentwater.org  or on 017687 77246.  Kathy and Dave will be pleased to help you plan your trip and tailor your visit to suit your group.

Keep on running!

Fiona and Ian looking relaxed and happy after the race

On a glorious day at the end of March, two members of staff were persuaded to enter the Lorton 10k road race.  Hostel assistant Ian Carter and Fiona McCarthy (Ed) put on their trusty trainers and made their way to Lorton School, which is just the other side of Whinlatter Pass.  More than 200 people took part in the event, which was held to raise funds for the school.  The course takes a 6 mile loop around the beautiful – and less frequented – Lorton Vale. It’s a fairly arduous route, with one particularly severe hill, but both Ian and Fiona completed the race, with Ian surprising himself with his good time and Fiona managing not to come last! “The atmosphere was brilliant, with so many local Lorton people out cheering us on. They also helped considerably with the marshalling and organisation of the race – it was a great event and I’m looking forward to doing again next year” said Ian.

There are plenty of road and fell races in the area in the coming months and Derwentwater Youth Hostel is an ideal base to stay, whether you are training, competing or supporting. We have details of some of the forthcoming races on our website.  So come on all you atheletes  and fun runners – what are you waiting for in this Olympic Year?