Green Future for Black Sail
The YHA’s most remote youth hostel looks set for an healthy and environmentally friendly future. According to a report in The Westmorland Gazette, the YHA has agreed a new 25 year lease that will assure the hostel’s continuing role in the network.
In addition, the hostel will be fully refurbished next year, including a hydro-electric power generator and other eco-friendly features – fruits of the Ennerdale and Black Sail appeal that was launched two years ago. The whole scheme forms part of the Wild Ennerdale project – an attempt to return the remote valley as far as possible to its natural state.
Thankfully for fans of the warden’s legendary curries, hostel meals will continue to be served at Black Sail. An earlier plan had called for the catering service to be withdrawn in an effort to reduce vehicle runs to the hostel. This decision proved unpopular with members and led to a re-think. YHA Development Manager Simon Ainley said:
While we still need to take a Land Rover to the hostel to transport laundry, refuse, gas bottles and cleaning products, through proposed changes to energy use and storage capacity on site, we can also provide catering while keeping the number of journeys to an absolute minimum.
We have also agreed in principle, a scope of works with our partners which will see Black Sail improved and reduce its environmental impact while retaining its essence and unique character.
Despite being the antithesis of the plush, coach party-friendly establishments that YHA is often associated with these days, Black Sail remains a talisman of what hostelling is all about. It’s good to see its place in the network being kept safe.
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