http://www.yhagroup.org.uk News & Views for Local YHA Groups Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:36:38 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en As we weather some of the warmest weather of the year so far, what could be more natural than to start thinking about Christmas? Well, that's what they're doing at the Court Hill Centre - the bunkhouse known as The Ridgeway Youth Hostel before breaking with the YHA last year: The ... http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/another-independent-offer Sam Dalley of the Backpackers' Press writes: One of our member hostels has pointed out to me that YHA local groups are short of accommodation which is available to individuals and small groups in the winter. There are over 250 Independent Hostels in the UK and over 95% of them stay open ... http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/free-offer-for-local-group-members Whatever happened to Youth Hostels? asks an article in monday's Times. One of their reporters has visited the new London Central hostel and found, instead of the drafty dormitories and cold showers that she appears to have expected, something more suitable for the 21st century: While YHA hasn't abandoned it's principles ... http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/london-central-in-the-times Twelve groups took part in the 2007 President's Awards and the judges were pleased to see a high standard of entries again. The President's Awards were introduced in 1985 to recognise the work that local groups do for the YHA and 2007 was the twenty-third year of the awards. Three-quarters of the ... http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/presidents-awards-2007 Saffron Walden YH is the oldest inhabited building in the picturesque Essex town, but also (apparently) its most haunted one. Just what form this haunting might take is unclear, but hostellers have been offered the chance to find out. According to a story in the Saffron Walden Reporter, an outfit called ... http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/ghostbusters-to-visit-saffron-walden The final version of the agenda for next month's Affiliated Groups' Conference has just been published. If you're going, I'll see you in Milton Keynes! http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/conference-agenda-published The succession of horrific news stories from Jersey have been giving YHA's name some unwanted exposure in recent weeks, so it's good to see some more positive associations. A double review of Whitby and Hartington has appeared in the Daily Telegraph, assessing the hostels' potential for family holidays. http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/good-press-for-whitby-and-hartington Coldingham Sands YH, one of the seven earmaked for closure by the SYHA last year, could be saved if the local community have their way. According to a report in the Berwickshire News, the sale of the hostel has been suspended whilst local people attempt a buy-out under Community Right ... http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/rescue-plan-for-coldingham It's not exactly mass media, but the Borehamwood & Elstree Times has just published an article extolling the many virtues of YHA hostels. They make a pretty good job of pointing out the benefits of hostelling - the variety of buildings, the facilities available at today's hostels, the fact that ... http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/spreading-the-word-in-borehamwood Up at Black Sail YH, the current hostel managers are putting together a history of the hostel and a list of its previous wardens. If you're a former staff member, volunteer or visitor to the hostel able to contribute names, dates, photos or other information, they'd like to hear from ... http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/hostel-history-sought