Wasdale New Year
Wasdale Hall, Cumbria
Wed 28th December 2022 to Wed 4th January 2023
Our traditional ECC winter week will run once again at Wasdale Hall in the Lake District. This cosy youth hostel is ideal for winter events. The lakeside venue gives access to the amazing, and lesser-known, Western Fells. The hostel has large lakeside grounds alongside the dramatic Wastwater. Roaring fires, and the company of lovely men combine to make this a great way to see out the old year (with great relief this time!) and welcoming in the New Year. You can enjoy the fells, wander along the lake or lounge round the fire. So whether you are looking for a magical and different way to spend your New Year, or are returning for more Wasdale wonders - come and join us in the Lake District for a week of ECC sparkle!
The Organisers
Murrough
Stephen
Ian
Your organisers for the week are, Murrough Landon, Stephen Messinger and Ian Williams. All are ECC veterans and have organised events before. We all look forward to spending time with you! We are always well-looked after by the YHA team led by Steve the Wasdale hostel manager.
What to Expect
The stunning Wasdale 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 (to the local pub or the tea rooms). There are also more intrepid and challenging mountainous 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 go out on the high fells. There will be more on this in the joining instructions we'll be sending to everyone attending.
Though many people take advantage of the local scenery, Wasdale isn’t just 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. 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 (we have a decent music system and an excellent keyboard - so if you play please bring along some music) … and of course a New Year celebration.
There’s a special feeling of Midwinter at the Wasdale events - with the reflection of the moon in the lake or views of the moon through quick-moving clouds and the silhouette of the crags opposite. Inside, we usually gather round the fire and it’s cosy. Then as the New Year approaches, we can go out to the bonfire on the lake shore 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.
This year people may like to bring ideas or objects to help honour that change. We can talk in more detail about what we’d like to do to mark the New Year when we’re there.
Covid-19
Many of you will be aware that there was a significant outbreak of Covid at High Close in August, despite many precautions being in place. The organisers of Wasdale new year event would like to minimise the possibility of this happening again, whilst at the same time ensuring everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
On the one hand the seriousness of the illness for most people has declined, such that the effects are more like the common cold.
On the other hand, some people are more vulnerable and can be more affected, and long-Covid is a serious problem for others. Each new variant gets more infectious. We don’t know if there are any new variants in the pipeline. Individuals may have worse outcomes in winter, when the NHS is likely to be even busier. If we do get an outbreak, it is likely to dampen spirits on the event.
The participants at High Close were all asked to test before arrival, but the incubation period before tests show positive can last several days. Many High Close participants only tested positive several days after the end of the event. Luckily, of those who have tested positive, no-one as yet has reported any serious or long-lasting symptoms.
To be admitted to the Wasdale new year event we need people:
- to provide evidence on arrival to the organisers that they have been vaccinated, with at least two inoculations
- to demonstrate a negative test result on arrival (i.e. on arrival showing the organisers an LFT test cassette), or to take a LFT test on arrival if not previously available.
- not to come if they test positive before starting their journey, or have symptoms
- to test on the third day of the event
- to go home if they test positive during the week
- to bring masks, in case there is an outbreak
- to bring enough daily tests (7) in case someone tests positive on the week
We will also seek to ensure the hostel provides enhanced cleaning (subject to YHA agreement), hand sanitisers and ventilation.
We may need to restrict workshops, e.g., on the number of members, social distancing and duration.
The YHA is continually updating its Covid policy. The latest version can be found at www.yha.org.uk/covid-19. Currently this is not very strict, but this may change according to circumstances. These requirements may change in the light of circumstances or any decisions made by the ECC annual Autumn Gathering.
Essential Information
Access: The building can present some physical challenges for people with mobility difficulties. The hostel website at yha.org.uk has a link to their detailed access statement.
If you have further concerns or queries please contact Stephen Messinger ***** ****** *******.*********@********.*** before booking.
Alcohol: Wasdale Youth Hostel has a licensed bar selling local ales as well as a selection of wines and spirits. Licensing laws don't allow visitors to bring or consume alcohol that has been bought elsewhere, and we ask that you respect this.
Nearest shops: In Gosforth village about a 10-minute drive away. Please be aware that the Youth Hostel is in a beautiful but isolated spot.
Number of places: 28 places will be available on the week, and we'll reserve a proportion for first-time attenders until the end of October. Places can fill up very quickly, so book soon!
Accommodation and Facilities
Sleeping accommodation is in shared rooms with between 4 and 8 bunk beds and shared shower/toilet facilities. With 28 of us we will need to use several of the upper bunks. All the bedrooms are on the first floor and access is by means of a wide staircase, but it may present problems for those with mobility issues. Please check with Stephen before booking if you feel this may be the case.
Food, Allergies and Dietary Requirements
A varied vegetarian menu is on offer, with a choice of dishes at all meals. There will be a cooked English vegetarian breakfast, and a special meal on New Year’s Eve. It is usually possible to provide for special diets or allergies if we know your requirements in advance. Please let us know when you book.
Support
Meeting and living with a group of up to 25 others can seem daunting, so you will be invited to join a base group of four to six men, which meets for an hour usually before the evening meal each day. This allows everyone to get to know a small group better, share thoughts and feelings about the week, and support each other when needed. There will also be a heart circle running each day for those who prefer it to a base group, and possibly a reflective heart circle on New Year’s Eve open to all.
The organisers are also there to answer any queries you may have during the week.
Travel to Wasdale
The nearest rail station is Seascale, seven miles away. We are usually able to collect you from the station on arrival, but it may be necessary to share a taxi if lifts cannot be provided. There is often a somewhat reduced rail service to Seascale during the Christmas/ New Year period. We'll monitor the situation and if it necessary it may be possible to organise a minibus from Lancaster / Barrow / Carlisle with the cost shared by everyone travelling. We will update you of this once rail bookings have started for these dates.
NB: If using a satnav, the CA20 1ET postcode brings you to Nether Wasdale, about 2 miles from the youth hostel. The WhatThreeWords address is baffle.rehearsal.brink. Google Maps link is https://goo.gl/maps/uyjgsVmjjgebqojJ6 Full joining instructions will be sent out a few weeks before the event.