A brief history of Glaramara
T Arthur Leonard, minister of a Congregational Church in Colne, Lancashire organised a trip for youths to the Lake District in 1891. Shortly after, in 1893, the Co-operative Holidays Association was established from its Manchester base.
In the decades to come TA Leonard was the architect and the prime leader in promoting group excursions to the countryside for youths and adults through the creation of specific sites throughout Great Britain. He was also a prime mover in the creation of the Lake District National Park. In 1964 the organisation became known as the Countrywide Holidays Association (CHA). One of the few sites purchased and developed by the Association ‘from scratch’ was 4 acres of land at the top end of the Borrowdale Valley which became known as Glaramara. Other sites in the Lake District could be found at Newlands, Portinscale, Grasmere, Ambleside and Eskdale.
The largely treeless land was purchased from the Leconfield Estate in 1934 and the building was completed in 1935 and was known as the ‘Association’s new Holiday Hostel and Youth Guest House at Seatoller. The formal opening before local dignitories, including Lord Leconfield and representatives of the Association, took place on August 14 of that year. Minutes of the General Committee from the period show the intention to establish Glaramara as a place for outdoor activities at a price which should not exceed £2 per week. Unfortunately, the current management of the Glaramara Outdoor Centre cannot quite meet those requirements although we hope that we still offer value for money!! The first party enjoyed an organised walk to the top of Bow Fell. Groups thereafter participated in mountain, bathing and boating excursions whilst officials on site included the Centre Host and Hostess who helped organise evening gatherings in the Common Room (now the main lounge) where songs, games and dancing were the order of the day. Morning prayers were a strong feature of the daily routine on excursion days.
In 1960, the Association celebrated the silver jubilee of Glaramara House. Again, a formal event took place in Borrowdale. The current annex was erected during 1978 and coincided with a successful tree planting scheme on the site due to the generosity of members and patrons. Again, a formal opening followed with a large marquee on the field providing an additional feature. On Easter Monday 1985, the Golden Jubilee was celebrated at Glaramara House and included organised walks, dancing and games. The highlight was an Easter Bonnet parade and a Jubilee cake.
Advertisements during the Association’s ownership of Glaramara show a style of accommodation and service which is slightly different from that offered today. As an example, groups were introduced to each other following arrival by a compere who helped to arrange individuals into groups of ‘tigers’, ‘fledglings’ or just ‘reasonable people’.
A major holiday company purchased the few remaining properties of the Association in 1999. The current owners acquired the site shortly after and have since gradually upgraded the accommodation as well as developing a wide ranging and successful activity and skills course arm to the business. However, we are grateful still to receive the support and regular custom of groups who began visiting Glaramara during the CHA years.
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