THE CLUB COTTAGE LOW HALL GARTH, LITTLE LANGDALE

By C. E. Burrow

The formal opening of the Cottage took place on Saturday, October 7th, 1950, in the perfect setting of a Lakeland autumn afternoon. Mr. C. H. D. Acland represented our landlords, the National Trust, and officially handed over the property to the President, Charles Burrow, in the presence of 33 members of the Y.R.C. and kindred clubs. We were specially happy to welcome Mr. Harry Spilsbury of the Wayfarers Club, Mrs. Clifford Chubb and Mrs. J. I. Watts.

The President, wearing the Chain of Office, and installed with Messrs. Acland and Spilsbury on an improvised dais facing the Front Door of the cottage, welcomed our guests and expressed the thanks of the Club to Mr. Acland and to the National Trust for all they had done in finding the cottage for us. He also thanked Mr. Spilsbury for his many kindnesses and helpful hints on furniture and equipment ; he then called upon Mr. Acland to say a few words.

Mr. Acland gave a brief outline of the work of the Trust in the Lake District, laying particular emphasis on the Trust’s primary object, which was the safeguarding of the interests of the local agricultural community in a countryside which was increasingly becoming the playground of holidaymakers who did not always realise its importance as the farmers’ means of livelihood. He asked members of the Club to give all the help they could by avoiding disturbance to fences, walls, crops and stock, and by seeing that others, less conscientious, did likewise. He explained that a cottage like ours could only become available to a Club provided it was not wanted as a dwelling and had been offered for tenancy by local residents. He hoped that Y.R.C. men would support the National Trust in its need for funds to carry on its great work, and would become subscribers.

Mr. Acland concluded by taking from his despatch case a golden key, 15 inches long, which he handed to the President.

The President thanked Mr. Acland, and said how deeply honoured he felt at being asked to perform this opening ceremony, he was indeed the first President of the Y.R.C. ever to have had such a privilege. He did think that perhaps an opening ceremonj/ was superfluous because there seemed to be strong evidence within that the cottage had already been occupied by ” squatters.”

Before actually unlocking the door the President invited the assembly to spend a few minutes in happy contemplation of these commodious premises, and to appreciate the unique advantages which the members of the Club would in the future be able to enjoy. Outwardly the cottage was a very fine example of the architecture of its period. Among its many amenities were :

Running water in every room (given suitable weather conditions).
Sleeping accommodation for 10 to 15 people.
Beds fitted with mattresses of an improved type, which had many good points. These however would not be noticed unduly if good thick pyjamas were worn.
A large airy bathroom (illustrated by a large airy waveof the President’s arm in the direction of Little Langdale Tarn).
A commodious lounge with raftered ceiling (5 ft. 9 in. . above floor level) and fine old world fireplace.
Well equipped kitchen with stove by Florence.
Lofty garage well fitted with anything the mechanic might need用rovided he brought it with him.
Every room fitted with windows designed to open and shut and glazed with 20th-century transparent glass.

The President then descended from his seat on the dais, deftly inserted the golden key presented to him by Mr. Acland into the door of the cottage, turned the lock, flung open the door and declared the cottage open, at the same time wishing Good Luck to all those who should dwell in it and hoping that its walls might long echo with the patter of the Ramblers’ feet.

After the cheers, led by E. E. Roberts, had subsided, Mr. Spilsbury, on behalf of the Kindred Clubs, wished the Y.R.C. members all good luck in their new venture.

The party then proceeded indoors where an excellent afternoon tea was served.

On the following day two members achieved a first ascent on an adjacent crag which received the name of ” Opening Gully.”