So, "what's next." Now that I've finished Open to All, a few people have asked what I plan next and this is a kind of answer. I've been looking around, visiting archives, reading books, mulling options. I've been to the Cadbury Research Library, reading old records again. I've been down to London, to the Friends... Continue Reading →
Chance discovery
Discoveries come by chance, information falls in our laps like Newton's apple. The story of Frederick James Catley was one of those chance discoveries.Catley lived in Bristol. He was born about 1910 and worked in a bookshop in the city. At weekends he went with friends walking in the surrounding countryside. When war came in... Continue Reading →
Open to All: reader reviews
"A fascinating account of the history of the YHA, beautifully written..." "enjoyable, accessible... a "must have" for anyone with more than a passing interest in YHA..." "a truly impressive piece of research with detailed biographies of the key players involved in this fabulous institution that has given so much pleasure to so many of us."... Continue Reading →
A loan, creosote, and morning dips – Winchester youth hostel
Winchester youth hostel was a first among many; one of the first youth hostels in Britain, a first city youth hostel and the first opened with support from the National Trust. You might want about 15 minutes to read this article Jack Catchpool, first national secretary for the Youth Hostels Association, equivalent of today’s chief... Continue Reading →
No barracks, no sheep pens – super new hostels
A planned new youth hostel will be big. It'll be purpose built and it'll be in London. Not what many of us expect from a youth hostel? It's easier to think that youth hostels are small, out of the way places in fantastic locations. We might love those kind of hostels but we should think... Continue Reading →
