Autumn Gathering
Beamsley, nr Skipton, North Yorkshire
Fri 31st October to Mon 3rd November 2025
It's that time of year again, when ECC has its annual Autumn Gathering. This is primarily a business event, where we hold our AGM, look back at the past year, and make plans for the next year. But there will also be plenty of free time built in for walks, socialising, and base groups.
The Location
The Beamsley Project is located between Skipton and Harrogate in North Yorkshire. It's on the edge of Yorkshire Dales National Park and there will be opportunities for visits to attractions in the area such as Bolton Abbey, Skipton and its castle, Betty's Tea Rooms in Harrogate, or walking in the Dales.
Bolton Abbey
There are good railway services to Skipton (7 miles) from Leeds and Carlisle, and to Ilkley (6 miles) from Leeds. Taxis can be booked at both stations.
The nearest shops are in Addingham (4 miles).
The Venue
The Beamsley Centre was created by members of the Beamsley Methodist Church congregation when the chapel closed, to ensure its future as a holiday centre for disabled people and other charity and community groups. It is therefore fully wheelchair-accessible with excellent facilities including ground floor bedrooms, lifts, wetrooms and en-suite bathrooms. The rooms sleep 2 or 4 in single beds.
The Beamsley Project
Beamsley project website: www.beamsleyproject.org
The Event
The meeting includes a brief review of this year's events, reports from taskholders and local groups, and consideration / approval of proposals for events for 2025. There will also be plenty of time for socialising, chats and walks, so that the weekend becomes a mini-event; enabling us to come together in community whilst completing the essential work of shaping the future of ECC.
The cost of this weekend is subsidised by ECC and will be £80 for waged members, and £40 for concessions.
The formal AGM of ECC Ltd will also take place during this weekend; this is when we approve previous minutes and the treasurer's report, appoint members to the Maintenance Group and other posts, and deal with any motions submitted for discussion.
The event will include the usual ECC activities such as go-rounds, base groups and workshops. There will be free time to enjoy the surrounding countryside. We shall need to incorporate within the event our, usually brief, Annual General Meeting of ECC Ltd.
Notice of Annual General Meeting of Edward Carpenter Community Ltd
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Edward Carpenter Community Ltd will take place at The Beamsley Centre, Skipton, at 11.30 am on Sunday 2nd November 2025. Any member wishing to put down a motion for discussion should forward this motion in writing so that it reaches the undersigned not later than 21 days before the date of the meeting.
Andy Paterson, Secretary, Edward Carpenter Community Ltd.
Email: maintenance@edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk
Please aim to arrive from 5pm on Friday 31st October (dinner will be at 7pm) and be ready to leave after breakfast on Monday 3rd November.
Topics for Discussion
We will circulate discussion papers for any topics submitted by members, in advance of the weekend. Only submissions which are properly laid out in a discussion paper can be allocated sufficient time within the agenda. We ask all participants to study the papers before arrival so that everyone is fully aware of such submissions in readiness for a constructive debate. Substantial topics cannot be introduced under Any Other Business, so please contact the MG at least 21 days before arrival if you wish to include submissions during the weekend.
Event Bids for 2026
We rely on community members to step forward to organise our events, so now is the time to think about whether you'd like to be part of one of our organising teams next year. Organising is a great way to learn more about ECC, to make new friends and to explore the topics that really excite you. We always try to match experienced organisers with those who are new to taking the reins, and you'll be supported by the MG. You even get a free place as reward for your efforts! If you're already thinking of an event and have a team in mind, speak to them now and prepare a bid in good time for the AG to consider. If you'd like to be involved but don't have a plan or a team already, the MG can help.
If you have ideas for themed events or new venues - fantastic! Speak to the MG now about what you'd like to do, and get your bids in by at least late-October.
The Organisers
The Autumn Gathering is organised and hosted by the ongoing members of the ECC Maintenance Group. Paul Ryan, Andy Paterson, and Mike Glancy. Imran Riaz has kindly offered to cook for us.
Paul
Andy
Mike
Imran
Catering
We will provide full board for the entire weekend. All meals will be vegetarian and healthy. If alcohol is required, bring your own or visit a nearby country pub. The nearest shops are in Addingham 4 miles away.
How to book
Bookings open on 27 Sep 2025 at 09:00, and you'll be able to book here then
We won't begin confirming places until 4 Oct 2025. Please make sure you get your deposit to us by then to be sure of a place.
You don't have to be an existing ECC member to book. Payments for ECC events are on a sliding scale according to your income, and you're invited to pay as much or as little as you can afford. You'll be asked to state how much you're going to pay for your place when you book. The rates for different income levels are shown below.
Bursaries
We maintain a generous bursary fund to help men on very low incomes to ensure no-one is excluded for lack of funds.
If you don't feel you can afford the concessionary rate, we may be able to help.
Simply choose the option to apply for a bursary when you book.
Sliding scale of charges
| Concessionary rate (for people living at benefit levels) | £40.00 |
| Normal rate (all income levels) | £80.00 |
Contact the Organisers
You can contact the organisers by entering your message here. If you would like to speak to someone on the phone, please include your phone number and request a callback.
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