YHAgroup.org.uk

With election fever beginning to grip the nation like a virulent case of Delhi belly, the Outdoor Industries Association have dropped a hint to our (would be) lords & masters of the electoral benefits of walker-friendly policies.

Research sponsored by the Association has shown that not only are outdoor pursuits are one of the nation’s favourite leisure activities, but that there are votes to be had:

More than 77% think that the Government should make it easier for people to participate in outdoor activities. In addition, over 60% stated that they would probably (47.2%) or definitely (13.1%) support a political party that had a serious, defined policy commitment to encourage the population to participate in outdoor activities.

Personally, I can’t see myself changing my vote just because, say, a party promises massive Flemish-style investment in youth hostels. But if they want to try to bribe me like that, I’m not going to complain!

We’ve already had one laundry list of ideal hostel features this year, here comes another. This time it’s from backpacker Adam Seper writing on the BootsnAll travel site about “8 Things that Separate Great Hostels from Average Hostels“. Here’s his list (the original article has a lot more detail on each point):

1. A real bar – with real drink choices – placed in a logical location within the hostel
2. A good chilling area and (not or) a good place to hang out with other travelers
3. A breakfast that offers a little bit more
4. A computer station and (not or) WiFi
5. Staff that actually cares
6. Location, location, location
7. A kitchen that can actually support the capacity of the hostel
8. A good view

Once again, he’s talking about international backpackers’ places, rather than the outdoor market (not that those two are mutually exclusive), but it’s still a pretty good list. For walkers’ hostels I’d add an efficient drying room with a sink for cleaning boots, no doubt you could add more.

What I find interesting is that both this list and January’s “ideal” list include a self-catering kitchen, but neither of them mention hostels’ provision of main meals. I know this is hardly a scientific sample of hostellers’ views, but they do seem to be going in the opposite direction to YHA on this issue at least.

What do you think?

Leaders of the cash-strapped YHA are probably casting envious glances across the channel, where Flanders Today reports a 31 million euro government investment in expanding and upgrading Flemish youth hostels:

The youth hostel in Brussels, for instance, will see its shortage of beds alleviated with 52 additional beds, increasing its capacity to 187. The city of Bruges will receive a new youth hostel boasting 120 beds, which is twice as much as the current offering. The city of Hasselt will receive its first youth hostel ever and Brasschaat near Antwerp will receive a youth residential centre with 120 beds in the vicinity of the sports hotel. The antiquated youth hostel in Kortrijk will be renovated and extended to accommodate 120 overnighters and the Ploate in Ostend will relocate to the current Admiral Hotel and an adjoining warehouse.

The work is scheduled to take place between 2012 and 2015. While they’re at it, they might want to spend a bob or two on the Flemish Hostel Fedration’s rather ancient website too!

Five YHA staffers are taking part in a 650-mile sponsored cycle ride to raise money for FAB Camps. The five will be pedalling between Coverack and Whitby youth hostels (which were the venues of the first camps held last year) from 1st-8th May.

Each member of the team is looking to raise at least £2000, every penny of which will go directly towards ensuring those that have suffered the loss of a serving loved one can begin the process of re-building their lives. Team member Tom Hodgson says:

I am doing this physically demanding bike ride because I want to make a difference to these families who have given up a member of their family to keep us safe back here at home. No one wants to be in their situation and this is the least I can do for them. The money we raise will enable these families to spend a week away with other families in the same situation to support each other, take some time out and have fun doing all sorts of activities

The YHA team consists of:

• Mick Horan – Operations Director
• Simon Ainley – Fundraising Development Manager
• Simon Brister – Property Manager
• Tom Hodgson – Design & Communications Assistant
• Lewis Johnson – Manager, YHA Manchester

You can click on any of the names above to sponsor that rider via the Virgin Money Giving website, or just send a cheque payable to “YHA – Family Activity Breaks” to Hannah Curzon, YHA, Dimple Road, MATLOCK, DE4 3YH.

One of the other riders taking part (like the camps themselves, this ride is a joint effort between YHA and the MoD), Lou O’Connell, is writing a blog of her progress training for and taking part in the ride. Of course, you can sponsor her too.

The 2009 AGM of the YHA Central Regional Council will take place at Tiddington Community Centre, Main Street, Tiddington, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, CV37 7AN (see map below). The centre is about half a mile away from Stratford YH.

All members of YHA are entitled to attend, be sure to bring your membership card along if you want to vote. The meeting will start at 11:00am.

The Three Peaks Trial is an organised challenge walk arranged each year in March by the Cardiff Outdoor Group. The Walk was first held in March 1963 and was designed for less experienced walkers who wanted to test their powers of endurance and skill at map reading. It is the third oldest event of its type in the UK. Over the years the event has been modified so in 2010 there is a choice of four routes:

• Platinum Route:This is a linear walk of about 17 miles and 5000′ of ascent from Llanthony to Abergavenny over Bal Mawr, Pen Cerrig Calch and Sugar Loaf. Entry to the Platinum Route is limited to 100. Although the Platinum Route is shorter than the Gold, the ascents are steeper and navigation more challenging, hence the higher grading.
• Gold Route: This is the original challenge, a circular walk of about 20 miles and 5000′ of ascent, which crosses over three prominent peaks around Abergavenny in Monmouthshire: Blorenge, Sugar Loaf and Skirrid. This route is never far from civilisation yet there is no obvious route so that concentration on map reading is essential to keep to the best route.
• Silver Route: This is a circular walk of about 15 miles and 4000′ of ascent. It follows the Gold Route from Abergavenny over Blorenge and Sugar Loaf, then descends back to Abergavenny.
• Bronze Route: This is a circular walk of about 10 miles and 2000′ of ascent. The route goes from Abergavenny to the summit of Sugar Loaf, descending by a different path.

This year, proceeds from the event, the 48th Three Peaks Trial will be split between the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team and the Elenydd Wilderness Trust to help maintain Ty’n Cornel and Dolgoch Youth Hostels.A donation for footpath maintenance will also be made to the National Trust, owners of Sugar Loaf and Skirrid Fawr.

More information can be found on the event web site.

The 2010 Affiliate Groups Conference will be held on 27th March 2010 at National Forest YH, 48 Bath Lane, Moira, SWADLINCOTE, DE12 6BD (see map below). More details can be found in the agenda and in an invitation to the conference.