Quarnford New Year

The traditional ECC winter week is often over-subscribed, so this year we're offering two separate events to mark the turning of the year. Wasdale Hall will play host once again, but we're now offering a week at this lovely new venue at Quarnford Lodge in North Staffordshire, just south of the county border with Derbyshire.

This beautiful building probably originates in the 17th century and is ideal for winter events. This Peak District moorland venue sits above a beautiful section of the Dane Valley and near to the source of the River Dove.  The area enjoy rivers, old stone bridges and waterfalls. The Three Shires Head is a point on Axe Edge Moor where the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire meet. Here you will find a Grade II-listed packhorse bridge over the River Dane. The bridge is thought to have been constructed in the 18th century. It's a delightful area with a number of small waterfalls and the surrounding Peak District scenery to enjoy. 

Inside the Lodge the double aspect central wood burning fire will allow our group of lovely men to share the warmth and glow of a fire as we see out the old year and welcome in the New Year. Vegetarian food will be served (we’ll all assist in meal preparation under the guidance of an organiser) in a glorious dining room where the whole group can eat together. There are ten bedrooms, some of which are downstairs and accessible for wheelchairs. Sleeping will be in shared bedrooms with a small number of others. Double beds will be available in some rooms. So, whether you are looking for a magical and different way to spend your New Year, or are returning for another ECC New Year event - come and join us in the Peak District for a week of ECC community time, friendship and celebration.

The Organisers 

Your organisers this year are Peter Duxbury (catering co-ordinator), Stephen Messinger (booking enquiries) and Ian Williams (catering and general event enquiries). All are ECC veterans and have organised events before. They all look forward to spending time with you!

Stephen Messinger
Joining ECC has led to some of the most beautiful and special things I've ever experienced with other men who love men. I still remember clearly, my arrival at Laurieston Hall in 2016 for my first ECC event. It had been a very long drive from Southampton and all I could think of on arrival was using the loo and getting a cuppa. There were 60 or so others and most seemed to have arrived already. How I controlled my over-stretched bladder I’ll never know because wonderful, warmly welcoming men barred my way to the toilet with greetings and friendly enquiries about who I was.

The nearest comparable experiences before that day were numerous residential psychotherapy training conferences. There were always many new faces to meet, workshops to attend, conversations, meals and drinks to share. So it wasn’t the presence of so many people that took me by surprise. It was the welcoming, authentic and warm community that deeply touched me. I enjoy being a part of an event organising team and happily draw upon the event planning work I did before my retirement in 2016. It's a pleasure to set up the space with other organisers where our community gathers, and then to become a part of that community as it fills and shares that space.

Ian Williams
I have been involved with ECC since the 1990s and keep returning, particularly re-connecting during the pandemic. I have been an organiser on quite a few official ECC events as well as unofficial ones in other countries. I look forward to going to a new venue, which is more accessible and a bit more luxurious than some of the old favourites.  For me, seeing people, including myself, grow during one of these events and being part of an amazing community, is what keeps me coming back.

What to Expect 

The stunning Peak District landscape attracts keen walkers and there are spectacular walks for all abilities. Short low-level walks for those seeking exercise or maybe just a little stroll. There are also more demanding and challenging nearby hikes suitable for the more weathered, experienced walkers or those who want to try it out. You'll definitely need suitable boots and warm waterproof clothing if you're planning to walk in the Peak District National Park  during winter time. More information about what to bring will be sent out nearer the event.

Though many people will take advantage of the local scenery, Quarnford Lodge won’t just be for walkers. There will be indoor activities and you may want to spend time relaxing in front of the fire, be cosy with a book, play games, sit up late chatting, make new friends, talk seriously, share hugs and laughter, and have fun with other men who love men. The communal living area includes an impressive vaulted dining room, complete with chandelier and minstrels’ gallery, with comfortable seating for all participants around a single table. There will be plenty of scope both to facilitate and participate in activities and workshops - it all depends what those attending decide to bring and contribute. In recent years it's included dancing, singing, quizzes, meditation, massage, touch, yoga and Pilates, story-reading, graphology, making bread, drawing, outdoor theatre, a cabaret soiree - so if you play feel free to bring along some music or instruments.

Quarnford Lodge is near to Buxton, with its magnificent Buxton Crescent, a stunning example of Georgian architecture that houses a luxurious hotel and spa, and the Buxton Visitor Centre. Adjacent to this is the Buxton Opera House, a beautiful Edwardian theatre hosting a variety of performances. For a subterranean adventure, Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park provides guided tours of a two-million-year-old natural limestone cave. Above ground, the Pavilion Gardens offer a delightful space for a leisurely stroll, with its Victorian conservatory, boating lake, and miniature railway. For panoramic views of the town and surrounding hills, a walk up to Solomon's Temple on Grin Low is a popular choice. The town also boasts a vibrant cultural scene with the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, as well as a range of independent shops and eateries, though not everything will be open over the New Year period.

It is also near to Macclesfield, Macclesfield, a historic market town famed for its industrial heritage, which can be explored at the Silk Museum and the nearby Paradise Mill, where you can take a step back in time on a guided tour of a complete 19th-century silk mill with its original handlooms.  The town centre is home to a variety of independent shops and eateries, including the popular Picturedrome, a former cinema now a vibrant food hall. For a touch of culture, you can seek out the mural of Joy Division's lead singer, Ian Curtis, a nod to the town's more recent musical history.

Meawhile, at nearby Leek the Foxlowe Arts Centre, is a vibrant hub set in a beautiful Georgian house, featuring an art gallery, cinema, and a popular café. History enthusiasts can explore the Brindley Water Mill, a restored 18th-century corn mill, or delve into the town's rich textile heritage, influenced by the famous designer William Morris.

Dining room

One of the shared bebrooms

There’s a special feeling of Midwinter at ECC events - with the lack of light pollution the night sky is most beautiful in this area.  As the New Year approaches, we gather together to mark the changing of the year. We often mark the winter changes in other ways too with a time together to reflect on and leave the past year and share aspects of what it’s meant to each of us and with hopes for the new. It is one of the things that brings a sense of togetherness within our temporary community. We can talk in more detail about what we’d like to do to mark the New Year when we’re there.

Keeping the bugs away

Please see the latest guidance on prevention of the spread of Covid and other nasties.
www.edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk/events/covid-guidelines

Essential Information

Where: Quarnford Lodge, Buxton Road, Quarnford, Buxton SK17 0TL 
www.peakoccasions.co.uk/quarnford-lodge/

Number of places: 26 places will be available on the week, and we'll reserve a proportion of these for first-time attenders until mid-October.  Places can fill up very quickly, so request your place as soon as bookings open.

Arrival: Monday 29th December 2025, from 5pm to 6pm 

Departure: Monday 5th January 2026 by 10.30am 

Access:  Three en-suite bedrooms at Quarnford Lodge are on the ground floor and the entire downstairs area is on a single level, making the property accessible for wheelchair users and the less mobile. If you have further concerns or queries please contact the organisers before booking.

Alcohol:  Participants are welcome to bring their own alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The organisers ask that those who drink alcohol are mindful that not everyone else does and that only sensible alcohol use is welcome.

Nearest shops: The nearest shops are in Buxton which is about a ten-minute drive away. Quarnford is in a beautiful but isolated spot.

Booking

Bookings will open on 9th August, and further details including the scale of charges will be available shortly.