History of the Association

The birth of Countrywide Holidays Association (CHA) was in the small mill town of Colne in north east Lancashire when Rev T A Leonard took a party of 30 young men on holiday to Ambleside in the Lake District, and to Caernarfon the following year.

In January 1897 in the drawing room of the Manchester YMCA, the draft constitution of the Association was drawn up. Later, a small company was founded and the Association became a legal entity, with the title The Co-operative Association. In its early days, there was much linkage between CHA and the National Home Reading Union. With familiarity and affection, CHA was adopted as the official name of the Association and in 1964, the name was changed to the Countrywide Holidays Association - keeping the same initials.

The first CHA property was acquired in 1896 - Abbey House in Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast. There followed rapid growth, buying more properties around Britain, including Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man, and also leasing centres abroad early last century. Such did CHA flourish that a Head Office was established in Manchester in 1908. By 1936, 30,837 guestweeks were enjoyed at 37 centres at home and abroad. During the last century, many centres came and went, in accordance with customer demand and changing social and economic trends.

The companionship and love of the outdoors formed a bond between holidaymakers. Indeed, the initials CHA became anachronisms for Catch A Husband Association, as many couples first met on walking holidays, sharing a common interest! CHA Houseparties became a famous and popular feature of the CHA - walking outdoors during the day and entertainment indoors during the evenings with a host/hostess.

In 1999, the commercial holiday operation known as Countrywide Holidays became operated under licence by Shearings Holidays Ltd. This gave a very wide destination base for holidays around the country, with improved accommodation facilities and the availability of coach transport. In January 2004, the Countywide Holidays brand was bought by Ramblers Holidays, who continue to develop a strong holiday programme.

The philosophy of the Association has remained much the same since its inauguration:

appreciation of the countryside and heritage
provision of a sociable atmosphere and companionship
promotion of holidays which emphasise enjoyment of, and not damage to, the countryside

The John Hunt Award 2004

Presented to the Whitehough Outdoor Centre

Citation by Val Harvey, CHA Chairman

The John Hunt Award is presented to a person or organisation whose contribution to the availability of a countryside experience has been significant. It also reflects commitment to the objectives and activities that have been at the heart of CHA for over a century.

The Board of the Countrywide Holidays Association has agreed that this year's John Hunt Award should go to the Lancashire Outdoor Education Centre at Whitehough.

Whitehough was opened by the Local Education Authority of the Borough of Nelson in August 1938 in order that local children “might appreciate the many benefits – physical, social and educational – derived from camp life”. During World War 2, the camp school (as it was known) became an Open Air School for delicate children and an area of the grounds was cultivated as part of the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign. At the end of the war the camp reverted to its intended use.

Originally heads and teachers of visiting schools organised the courses; the only staff at Whitehough being the caretaker and the cook who occupied the original farm cottage. The school comprised a staff block, incorporating a sick bay and a main hall and kitchen with dormitories either side. Until the 1950s the large barn held the wartime supply of coke. It wasn’t till the end of the decade that the barn was finally cleared and converted into a massive camp equipment store and drying room.

During the next fifty years, Whitehough metamorphosed into the Lancashire Outdoor Education Centre that we see today. The centre now caters for schools and other groups from Lancashire, and from further afield, and is one of four centres in the Lancashire OE portfolio.

The centre is run by a manager, Val Scott, and her deputy and they are supported by administrative and catering staff. Living on site are the Site Supervisor and his wife who is responsible for the laundry. All instructors are self-employed and are paid on a sessional basis.

Throughout the year groups enjoy day or residential visits and a wide range of activities are available, with instruction and supervision. These include environmental walks (looking, listening, touching, smelling, and even tasting), orienteering, low rope work, high ropes, abseiling, caving, canoeing, pond dipping and survival skills. The format also exposes participants to problem solving and team building activities thereby developing cooperation, independence, acceptance of and respect for each other.

The centre is unique and above all it continues to develop in order to meet the demands of the 21st century. Plans are under way to create a sensory walk for children and young people with sensory impairment. The plan includes the development of wheelchair access to the activity areas of the grounds.

In a world that is fast, over-stimulated, self-absorbed, uncaring and impatient, Whitehough is a beacon espousing the opposite descriptors. TRULY A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

The Board of the CHA were unanimous in their wish to demonstrate their recognition of the commitment of the Whitehough Centre to tomorrow’s citizens. As the older generation hand on the mantle of responsibility for our country the legacy will prove to be a mixed blessing but we can be confident that those who have benefited from the Whitehough experience (some 1/4 million over 60 years) will be better equipped to assume that responsibility for our country and countryside. We can do no more than endorse the statement in the August 1938 opening address:

“It is part of every child’s heritage to know and understand their earth, to be at home in wild and magnificent places, knowing how to find security, and having the confidence and ability to overcome obstacles”.

The Association’s relationship with Whitehough began eighteen months ago:

with CHA money being donated towards two new pieces of outdoor equipment, a Jacob’s Ladder and the Leap of Faith, which benefit all visitors to the centre – both young and old!
with Invited Guest Trust money enabling more pupils to take advantage of a local school’s residential week away to the centre than would have been able, due to cases of hardship.

History of the Association

The John Hunt Award 2004

Further Reading