St Michaels Environmental and Education Centre,
Main Rd, Hathersage, Hope Valley
S32 1BB, UK
The actual AGM will be on the Saturday from 4-6pm, meaning there will be plenty of time to get into the countryside on both days. It will be followed by the big meal and a quiz. There will be a bar with real ale, fruit juice and wine at cost price, so there is no need to bring your own drink. There will also be an orienteering game, treasure hunt, and the possibility of climbing and caving instruction, depending on demand. Be there or miss out!
Hathersage is a pleasant village in the northern Peak District about 10 miles west of Sheffield with gear shops and lots fabulous walking and climbing options including Burbage Rocks, Higger Tor, Stanage Edge, the Toad’s Mouth and wonderful views of the distant peaks of the Upper Derwent Valley, dominated by Win Hill – you can’t lose!
The National Red Rope Weekend will run from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 September. As you can see, the St. Michael’s Centre has a smart, bright interior which should suit us very well. The dorms have strong, modern bunks sleeping 38 people, which means that we might actually be quorate! Anyone suffering from dormitory-phobia could get themselves a B&B or stay at the Youth Hostel, but where’s the fun in that?
Our membership was 315 at the last count. We need 10% of those for the meeting to be quorate. We’ll be fairly close to Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield, so it would be quite easy for members in those regions, and possibly further afield, to come for the day. If you have never been to an AGM why not give it a go? It should be possible to book on-line this year, as well as by post.
This is mostly from the Centre’s website: https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/education/outdoor-and-environmental-education/outdoor-education/st-michaels
You’ll find us at the heart of the bustling Peak District village of Hathersage in the Hope Valley. With limitless walking from the door, it is close to the popular Derwent Valley reservoirs, the gritstone edges, Chatsworth estate and the caverns of Castleton. The Hope Valley train line and a good network of bus routes pass through the village making it possible to explore the area without a car. We provide top quality, warm and welcoming accommodation in a variety of dorms.
You will find a well equipped self-catering kitchen, a dining room and lounge area with TV/DVD and Wi-Fi, a classroom, showers, toilets, drying room and secure parking for up to 12 cars. Shops, pubs, cafés, rail station, bus route, tennis court and an open air heated swimming pool are all a few steps away. The Hope Valley line has regular trains from Manchester and Sheffield. There are also buses daily to Sheffield, Hope, Castleton, Eyam and (not Joan) Bakewell.
by David Symonds, National Secretary
Stanage Crags 4, by Red Roper Jean Luce. See more of her work at www.jeanluceartist.com