August and a visit to the Albert Hall for a prom is becoming a habit. Sitting in the hall, waiting for Clemency Burton-Hill to introduce The Sixteen, I counted chairs and wondered how much space 5000 people took. That number of people turned up in August 1950 for YHA's 21st birthday. The celebrations were lavish.... Continue Reading →
They were making history
YHA made history in Cardiff in July. It stopped being the representative democracy, like parliament, that it has always been. Former MP, cabinet member and YHA president, Richard Caborn, recognised the moment and praised YHA for the way it had embraced change. Caborn, speaking at YHA's annual general meeting in Cardiff, the first such meeting... Continue Reading →
Richard Schirrmann in England
To Willersley Castle for a meeting today. I can't help but remember that Richard Schirrmann was here in 1934. He came with delegates from across Europe, from Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Danzig, England and Wales, France, Germany, Holland, the Irish Republic, Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, Poland, Scotland and Switzerland. They met here for four days. They pooled their... Continue Reading →
Youth hostels, Corbyn, Cameron and change
Change troubles all organisations. David Cameron tried to change the conservatives. He went to Greenland, promised a newer kinder conservative government. Jeremy Corbyn wants to change the labour party. He claims a different style as a party leader, a softer, more authentic and honest approach to politics. Both men have found how difficult it is... Continue Reading →
The free movement
Arriving at a youth hostel, you enter an international world. Despite being rooted in a local place you're likely to meet someone from another country whenever you stay in a youth hostel. Youth hostels are a part of an international movement for freedom and travel and I hope they will remain a little immune from... Continue Reading →
SIMPLY HOSTELS 