HerbertGatliff

AnEnglishEccentric

ByLenClarke

CONTENTSPrefaceHerbertGatliffSamplesofHerbertGatliff’sownwritingAnarticleinTheSouthernPathfinder,Easter1932AnarticleinTheSouthernPathfinder,Spring1934OralEvidencetotheRoyalCommissiononCommonLand,April1950Alettertohistypist,February1976ReminiscencesJamesShawGrant,August1989BobChaneyJackFrameAlanGardinerGrahamHeathCarolJohnsonMaxKirbyDickKnappPeterKnottleySteveMcCombieGeorgeandSheilaPerryBryanSpeedyBernardTraynerMichaelTrinickNoelVincentTheGatliffTrust

PREFACEThesurnameGATLIFFisaveryuncommonone,thoughinoneformfamiliartoreadersofCPSnow’sCorridorsofPowernovels.Thesubjectofthissketchwasanequallyuncommonperson.TheexistenceoftheGatliffTrustheightenstheinterestinthenameandoftenpromptsquestionsaboutitsorigin.HerbertGatliffwasatrulyEnglisheccentricneverlikelytobeforgottenbyanyonewho=methim.Thissketchofhislife,activitiesandthought,supplementedbysomeofhisownwritingsandanecdotalimpressionsofanumberofpeoplewhoknewhimwell,mayhelptobridgeagapbetweenthegenerations,especiallyforyoungpeoplespendinganeveninginaremotehostelcommonroomafteralongday’sjourney,andlookingthroughthehostelbookshelves.MostofGatliff’spapersarestoredintheBodleianLibraryinOxford,andmaybeofconsiderableinteresttoresearchstudents.Theyincludefascinatingcommentsoncontroversiesoftheperiodamongstenthusiasticcountrygoers,amenitysocietiesandgovernmentdepartments.RatherthandrawingontheseindetailthisbookletattemptsmerelytogiveanoutlineofaremarkablecharacterwhohadaspecialgeniusforexpressingprofoundthoughtsinsimplebuteffectiveEnglish.Sincehisdeaththeenvironmentalargumentshavemovedontohighlysophisticatedlevelsandsometimescomplexjargon.Onewonderswhathewouldhavemadeofallthat-sufficetosayhewouldnothaveremainedsilent.June1995LenClark©GatliffTrustISBN09515339l6Cover:HerbertGatliffatRavenstorYouthHostelfortheYHA’sfirstNationalCountrysideConferencein1964Photo:RogerClifton

HERBERTGATLIFF

HerbertEvelynCaulfieldGatliffwasbornatStaffordon21September1897,thesonoftheReverendandMrsJSGatliff.HisfatherwasvicarofAlveleyinShropshireandinlateryearsofBreinton,westofHereford.Hehadonebrother,Frank.HewaseducatedatTheElms,Colwall,aprepschoolandthenwenttoRugby,whereinduetimehebecameHeadBoyofSchoolHouse(i.e.topclassicalscholar).ItwasatRugbythathecameundertheinfluenceoftheReverendHHSymonds,whowastheHeadofClassicsandaformidablefigureinlateryearsintheemergingsocialmovementforaccesstothecountrysideanditsprotection.SymondswentontobeHeadmasteroftheLiverpoolInstitute,aboys'independentschool,anddevotedanincreasingamountofhistimetothecampaignforestablishingNationalParks,andespeciallytotheprotectionoftheLakeDistrict,hisover-ridingpassion.Duringthe1930sconiferisationoftheuplandsbecameaburningtopic,andtheafforestationofEnnerdalebytheForestryCommissionbecameacausecelebre,bitterlyopposedbythosewhowalkedthefells.UltimatelyanagreementwasstruckwiththeForestryCommissiontaminganyimperialisticambitionstheymayhavehad.Symondswasaleadinglightinthecampaign.Healsohelpedpioneerthegrowthofyouthhostelling,anddonatedimportantfarmlandintheDuddonValleytotheNationalTrust.HisbookWalkingintheLakeDistrictwasaclassicinitsday,andisstillanexcellentread,withitsaffectionateattentiontodetail,itswhimsyanditsclassicalasides.HHSwasHerbert'smentorandSymonds'bookhasmuchincommonwithGatliff'sownstyle.GatliffwentonfromRugbytoBalliol,wherehewascontemporarywithHaroldMacmillanandotherswhobecamewellknowninpubliclife.LeavingOxfordhetookacommissionintheColdstreamGuards,quiteanuncharacteristicepisodeinthelightofhisliberalandpacifistviews.HewasaffectedbyasenseofdebttofriendsandschoolfellowswhohadgonetotheGreatWarandbeenkilledintheiryouth.Buthiscareerasasoldier(itwas,ofcourse,wartime)wasshortlived.Therecordsshowthathavingbeengazettedon15January1917herelinquishedthecommissionon1July1917,onaccountofill-health,and"wasgrantedthehonoraryrankofSecondLieutenant".Happilytheill-healthdoesnotappeartohaveover-shadowedhissubsequentlife,perhapsattributabletohisoutdoorpursuitsandawiryframe.HethenenteredtheCivilServicewherehebecameanAssistantSecretaryintheTreasury,servingthereformanyyearsuntilmovingtothenewMinistryofTownandCountryPlanning,setupbytheLabourGovernmentaftertheSecondWorldWar.Asacivilservantheseemstohavesettledinsomewaystoaconventionalprofessionalcareer,marryingLois,subsequentlyahospitalalmoner,on20September1923,andlivinginamodernhousebuilttohisowndesignatChipsteadinSurrey,whichwasthenbeginningtosuccumbtosuburbanisation.Duringthe1920sHerbertGatliff'sinterestsbegantodevelopintherealmofleft-of-centreideas.ThesewerethedayswhentheSurreyHillsatweekendswerealivetothesoundofmusicofliberalsociologistsandphilosophers,withallsortsofprogrammesfora'HealthyNewWorld'.Hefoundcampingandwalkinginthecountryside('hiking'wasthecurrentbuzzword)muchtohisliking.Whilstneveraspecialistinnaturalhistory,birdwatchingorarchaeology,hehadapassionforlandscape,whichheoftendescribedinapungentphrase,muchrepeated.Inturnthisinterestbroughthimintocontactwithawholerangeofvoluntarysocietieswithidealisticobjectsfortheenvironment.TheCommons,OpenSpacesandFootpathsPreservationSocietyandtheSocietyfortheProtectionofAncientBuildingsweregrandparentstothismovement,havingstartedinVictoriantimes,andtheCommonsSocietypioneersweremidwivestotheNationalTrust.Herbertbecameakeenmemberofboth.In1926theCouncilforthePreservation(nowProtection)ofRuralEnglandwasformed,andactiveRamblers'Federationsfromallpartsofthecountry,butnotablyinthenorth,cametogetherin1935toformtheRamblers'Association.ButthenewmovementwhichwastoplaythegreatestpartintherestofHerbert'slifewastheYouthHostelsAssociation,foundedin1931withtheaimof'tohelpall,especiallyyoungpeopleoflimitedmeans,toagreaterknowledge,loveandcareofthecountryside,particularlybyprovidinghostelsorothersimple

accommodationforthemintheirtravels'.Thiswasinessencecampingwithamoreorlessfixedroof,anditstruckadominantchordwithGatliff.Hesoonjoined,thoughnotattheveryoutset,andbecameanactivememberofthefastgrowingLondonRegion,largestinthecountry.InlateryearshejoinedtheNationalExecutiveoftheAssociation.HisfinancialbackgroundintheTreasurymadehimareadychoiceasRegionalTreasurer,anditwashisrichandromanticpresentationoftheregionalaccountstoaYHAAnnualMeetingwhichdrewthewriter'sfirstinterestinYHAaffairs,whichwastobecomealsoalonglastingloveaffair.TheNationalTrustalsoattractedHerbert'sattentionandhewasinvitedtojointheEstatesCommittee,atthattimelargelycomposedoflandedgrandees.Butthisdidnotinhibithimfromexpressingthe'voiceofone',andhehadpointedviews(fromaTreasurybench)onthefinancialimplicationsoflandholdinganditsmanagement.FortheTrustestablishmenthewasararenon-conformist,buttheyhadthewisdomtolistentohimandbenefitfrom,ifnotalwaystofollow,hisviews.Heespousedespeciallythecauseofthelonelightweightcamperseekingtobivouacinremotelonelyplacesinthehills.IndeedHerbertincreasinglyjoinedgroupswithwhichhewasinsympathy,tobefollowedbyhisinjectionofheterodoxideas,oftenexpressedforciblybyletteraswellasinwellroundedoratory.Intheenditwassometimessaidthathis£5annualsubscriptiontoasocietyrepresentedanetlosstothembecauseoftheaggregatecostofstampsandtimetakentoreplytohismanysuggestions!AlthoughalwaysanindividualistGatliffwasverysociableandfoundtheSouthernPathfinders(latertheCroydonYHAGroup,thefirstofmanytobeestablished)muchtohistaste.Hisreflectionson'notgoingcosy'andthephilosophyoframblingarereferredtobelow.ForthebodieswhohadHerbertGatliffasamembertheirfirst,andtimeconsumingtask,wastodecipherhisspikyidiosyncratichandwriting,whichbecamequitefamous.AfacsimilecopyisshownHERE.TheletterswereinvariablywritteninsmalltriplicatecopybooksboughtatWoolworths,sothatthecarboncopycouldberetainedforfuturereference.Allincomingcorrespondencewascarefullystoredincornflakepackets.Almostcertainlymuchwisdomwentundeciphered,butoncethedecodinghadbeenmasteredtherewasalwayssomethingmeatytoconsume.ItwasnotuncommontoreceivebyfIrstpostalettermarked'URGENT'describingacriticalphasewhichhadbeenreachedinsomeproblemorcampaign;andinthesecondpostashorterlettersayingthattheissuenowseemedevenmorevitalthanearlierintheday!Gatliff'sremarkablyindividualmindandoutlookbecameequallywellknowninWhitehall.Itwasnotuncommontofindarucksackandprimusstoveinhisoffice,andpossiblyabicycleproppedupagainstthewall.Officialmemorandawereoftenadornedwithdisrespectfulorpungentmarginalnotes,andsomeofthesehaveraisedeyebrowssincethe30-yearbanonofficialdocumentshaspassed.ThushewasmuchinvolvedwiththeRamblers'Association'scampaignforpublicaccesstoallopencountry,butasacivilservanthismarginalnotesshowedhimhereticaltothosewithwhomhehadworkedinthevoluntarymovement.Insomequartershis'alternativeview'madehimregardedasamaverick.ForGatliffoftenespousedtheminoritycausealmostonprinciple,especiallywhenhedislikedordistrustedtheestablishmentview.Yethewasequallyathomeworkingoutacompromiseinwords.Inyouthhostellingaffairs,whenitsCouncildecidedtoimposeanominalextrachargeonthosetravellerswhomadeuseofthemembers'kitchentocooktheirmeals,Herbertwasbitterlyopposedinprinciple,aswastheNorthumberlandandTynesideRegionalGroup.SoheproposedtopayfromhisownpocketthesumwhichtheywouldhavereceivedfromthelevysothattheGeordiescouldpersistintheirdissent.ItbecameincreasinglyclearthatGatliffwasnotpopularwithestablishmentsinbothgovernmentalandvoluntarycircles.Butfortunatelytherewerealwaysthosearoundwillingtolistentohisheresiesandadmirethewayinwhichheputthemforward.MauriceMendoza,whoretiredasacivilservantintheearly1980swritesofhisearliestdaysasaJunior:"AlthoughIdidnotmeetHerbertGatlifffacetofaceIhavenotforgottenhisnamesinceIfirstsawhischaracteristicallyspikysignatureoverfiftyyearsago.IwasthenaclerkintheOfficeofWorksandhewasanAssistantSecretaryintheTreasury.TheCivilServicewas,ofcourse,muchsmallerthanitisnowandTreasury

controlofexpenditurewasmuchmoredetailed.TheGladstonianethosofsavingthecandleatbothendswasthenstillwithus.IthereforeoftenhadtodraftlettersformyseniorstoseekTreasuryauthorityforevenminusculeincreasesinrentortoexplainacostover-runonabuildingproject.Gatliff'sreplieswerearevelation.Theywerelucidandsuccinct;hewasanabsolutemasteroftheoneparagraphresponsethatsaideverything.Butitwasthestyleofhiswritingwhichmadethegreatestimpressiononme.AtatimewhenmostofficialcorrespondencewasrotundandnotalittlepompousGatliff'swasnotonlyasnaturalasifhiswordswerespoken,butalsoenlivenedbyhumour.Somehowheleftasenseofpersonalitythroughthemediumofthemostofficialcorrespondence."ThesettingupofthenewMinistryofTownandCountryPlanninginthelate1940swasofobviousinteresttoGatliffandhebecameaRegionalOfficerfortheNorth,basedinLeeds.HelaterreturnedtoLondonandtookearlyretirementin1953.Forsomeyearshehadbeenlivingalone,sincehismarriagehadbrokenup.Oneofhisdaughtersbecameadoctor,theotherahealthvisitor.Thelatter,Liz,isstillamemberoftheGatliffTrust.TheyhadbeeneducatedatDartingtoninDevon,anotableprogressiveschool,thoughitissaidthattheirjourneytherewasabituncertainandtheymayhaveendedupattheQuakerSidcotSchool.WhilstlivingatHampsteadGardenSuburbandworkinginWhitehallhewasafamiliarsightstandinginaNorthernLinetubetrainwithHomburg,umbrellaandrucksack,perhapsindeepdiscussionwithafellowcountrylover.LaterhemovedtoKensington.HavingshakenofftheshacklesofofficialdomHerbertGatliffwasfreeunhinderedtopursuehischosencausesinthecountryside.Notthathedidnothaveotherconcerns,notablyforsmallstrugglingsocialcharitiesworkingfordisadvantagedgroupsandcherishedchurches.ThescheduleofhispapersintheBodleianLibraryatOxfordgivesacluetosomeofthese:theSocietyforAutisticChildren;Birthright;ElyCathedral;StIvesHelpCentre;FriendsofKingswayCommunityCentre;FriendsofLewes;BorderBothiesAssociation;SocietyforPsychicalResearch;RichmondFellowship;PreventionofAddiction;Release;DisablementIncomeGroupandmanymore.Healwaysclaimedthatthiswasthemostrewardingpartofhislife.Butthediscoveryandappreciationofthecountrysideremainedparamount.Andjustashereadilypartedcompanywiththeestablishment,sobywayofcorollaryhewascriticalofhisowngenerationandsawmosthopeinthenewthinkingoftheyoung.Thisledhimtohitontheideaofawardingeachyearprizesforessaysbyschoolpupilsofyouthhostellingtripstheyhadtaken.Athisownexpensethesewerereproduced,circulatedtohostelcommonroomsandthosejudgedbestawardedcashprizes.OneschoolboyfromtheEastMidlandsshowedanoutstandingfluencyforwordsandsubsequentlybecameadistinguishedacademicinthefieldofforestry;othersproducedshortpiecesorpoems,someofwhichGatliffpromotedtothelevelofMajorInsightandweremuchinvokedbyhim.Thiswasanovelexperimentwhichcontinuedforanumberofyears.InhisenthusiasmforspecialcausesGatliffsometimesfailedtorealisethatotherswithmoremundanepreoccupationsmightnoteffectivelycarryouthiswishes.HeprovidedfundsforspecialpurposesanddirectionstoYHAontheirdispersal.Thefundsproducedarateofinterest,butnotalwaysthenecessaryother'interest'toaffecttheirproperuse.Sothepump-primingaspirationswerenotalwaysrealised.Alltheseattemptstofinancedefinedpurposefundshadtheirlimitations,becauseitwasnoteasytopersuadeotherstoseetheinspirationsocleartoGatliff.Soin1961hedecidedtosetuptheGatliffTrust,toperpetuatehisvariousinterests,inparticulartheenjoymentandcareofthecountrysideinEngland,WalesandScotlandbytheyoung,especiallythroughyouthhostelling.Asfounder,heprovidedallthebasicfunds(relativelymodestbecauseGatliffwasnotarichman)anddonationshavesincebeenreceivedfrompublicandprivatesources,especiallyinresponsetospecificappeals.TheTrustees,theoriginalonesallknowntothefounderoververymanyyears,havetriedtocontinuegrantstoanumberofsocietiesastheybelieveHerbertwouldhavewished,butthemajorbusinesshasbeenconcernedwithsustainingachainofsmallcroftershostelsintheOuterHebrides.GatliffhadaspecialaffectionfortheislandseversincebeingintroducedtothembyJohnCadburyofthechocolatefromandaformerDirectorandChairmanoftheYHA.

SmallhostelshadalwaysappealedmosttoHerbert,whetherintheDevil'sPunchBowl,Surrey,MidWalesorthePennines,buttheromanceofthewestcoastofScotlandbeckonedevenmorestrongly.Throughoutthe1950sandearly1960shemadethesametriptotheWesternHighlandsandIslandseachSeptemberalwaysendingatIona.TheScottishYHA(separatefromEnglandandWales)wereveryconsciousoftheGatliffianpressures,cajoling,admonitoryandcongratulatory,concerningthefascinatinglittlehostelsonthecoastofWesterRoss,suchasAchininver,CraigandInverAlligin.Helovedallofthese.ButtheOuterIslandswerevirtuallyvirginterritory.Thiswasamomentousopportunitytoestablishsimplehostels.TheaimoftheGatliffTrusthostelsistwofold:toofferbasicovernightaccommodationtoyounghostellersexploring'theedgeofEurope',manyofthemfromtheContinentandtheAntipodes;andbygeneratingsomeincometohelpsustainthecroftingeconomy.Theselittlehostelshavecertainlyevokedaremarkablereactionandenthusiasmfromthecognoscentiwhohavefoundtheirwaythere,asisevidentfrommanyofthelogbookentries.Therearenowfourofthesehostels,atRhenigidale,IsleofHarris,Howmore,IsleofSouthUist(foundbyHerbert),Berneray,IsleofNorthUistandGarenin,IsleofLewis.TherehavebeenhostelsonScarp,IsleofHarrisandCladdachBaleshare,IsleofNorthUistanditisverylikelythattherewillbeahostelonBarrainthenottoodistantfuture.In1988aseparateGatliffHebrideanHostelsTrustwassetup,withsomeScottishbasedmemberstojoinexistingTrustees,toconcentrateonthehostelwork.SupervisionoftheOuterHebrideshostelshasneverbeeneasyfromaddresses600milestothesouthofthem.Thereremainsabasicproblemofsecuringtherightlevelofpublicitysothatthetravellerisawareofthehostels,withouttheirbecomingoverrunbysuccess.TheScottishYHAoperatehostelsatStockinish,IsleofHarrisandLochmaddy,IsleofNorthUistandcooperationbetweenthetwoorganisationsovertheyearshasbeenverygood.BoththeSYHAandtheGatliffhostelsappearintheInternationalYouthHostelsFederation'sHandbook.HerbertGatliff'slastyearsinKensingtonweresomewhatsad.TherunningoftheHebrideanhostelswouldnecessarilypasstoyoungertrusteesandalthoughhehadstrongviewsonpolicyvisitsthesewerebeyondhiscapacity.HemovedfromhishotelaccommodationinLexhamGardenstoaroomoffKensingtonChurchStreet,wherehelivedinaconditionofDickensianprivation.Surroundedbyracksofcornflakepacketsasfilingboxes,therewasagasringandawarmwelcomeforhismanyvisitorswhomightbeofferedamealofspaghettiorbakedbeansandanimateddebateoncountrysidepolitics.Buthewasnotunhappythereuntilhishealthfailed.Hisletterscontinuedtopourout,withrecipientsrangingfromschoolboystocabinetministers.Iftheylackedareplyhewasnotusuallydiscouraged,butoccasionallyitwasotherwise.Theflowofadvice,commentandadvocacywasalwaysworthreading(ifyoucould)evenifpolicieswerenotalwayspracticable.Whenattheageof78hishealthbegantofailtherewasalsoaprogressivelossofmentalactivity.Thiswasnotseniledementia,butadegreeofrepetitionandlossofmemorywhichinanyoneelsewouldhavegoneunnoticed,butforsomeonewithsuchagoodmindthedeteriorationwasthemoremarked.Removaltoasuccessionofnursinghomesandhospitalswasnotahappyperiod,ashefeltthepowerofselfdeterminationwasslippingfromhim-somethingheprizedallhislife.Theletterswerestillfullofpassionanddespairalternatingwith'optimismthat'theyoungwouldgetitright'.AttheendofabattlewiththedoctorswhohadbeenreluctanttoagreetothetabletshefavouredfortreatmentofhiseczemaisatriumphantP.S.'AllpartieshavenowagreedtotheAnti-itchpills!'.HerbertGatliffdiedon19April1977andwasburiedinthefamilygraveatBreintonoverlookingtheriverWye,nexttoadelightfulcornerofNationalTrustland,andatrulyEnglisheccentrichadrejoinedtheEnglishcountryside.Gatliffhadhisfaults:hecouldbeexasperatinginhisobstinacy,wheedlinginhisnegotiatingforcompromise.Buthiseyeswereonthesamestarsashismanyfriendsandotherswhoknewhim.Thosewhofoundinspirationfromthisremarkablecharacterwouldliketopassonsomethingoftheirtestimonyandexperiencefortheyoungyouthhostellersandcamperswhomhebelieved'wouldgetitright'.

SAMPLESOFHERBERTGATLIFF’SOWNWRITING

AnArticleinTheSouthernPathfinder,Easter1932AMottofortheClubNowthattheClubisnearlyayearold,itistimewechoseamotto.Indeedwemightevenaspiretoacoatofarms,suchas“OnafieldofmudproperaPathfindercouchant;supportersapairofshortsimproperandaclubstovebreathingfire.”ButifweputitontheClubnotepaper,weshallhavetotakeoutalicencetouse“armorialbearings”whichcostsaguineaayear,sowehadbetterbecontentwithamotto.Thefirstthatcametomymindwas“Letustaketheroad.”ThosewhoknowtheirBeggar'sOperawillrememberthatthisisthefirstlineoftheHighwaymen’smarchingsong,andhasafineswingingtunethatwouldbeajoytosingaswesetoutinthemorning.Butinthesedaystheroadisnotoftenapleasantplacetowalkon,andsomehow“Letustakethepath”soundsalittleflat.Thentoo,ifIamnotmistaken,theoriginalsingershaddrunkrathermorefreelythanwouldbeseemlyforaPathfinderandbesidesifwelabelledourselvesashighwaymen,wemightfinditdifficulttogetevenacupofteabytheway.ThenIthoughtofanotherfamiliarline“Overthehillsandfaraway.”Thereismuchmagicfortheramblerinthoseplainwords.Ithasbeensaidthatthemotorcarhastakenawayallthetruethrilloftravel,whichistoknowfullwellthatoverthehillsisindeedfaraway,butweramblersknowthatthethrill,mostofallperhapswhenwebegintoclimbColleyHillandWaltonHeathintoakeennorthwind,liesbeyond.AndinthiscasetoothereismusicreadytohandfromtheBeggar’sOpera.Buttherestofthesongisevenmorefrivolousthanthehighwaymen’schorusandwouldcausetheirreverenttomakeevenmerrieratourexpense.So,lookingforsomethingalittlemoreserious,IturnedtoMasefield’searlypoemsandballads,whoseverywordssingofthemselveswithoutneedofmusic,andhopedtofindamottothere.FornowordshaveexpressedmorepoignantlythespiritofthewayfarerthanWetravelfromdawntodusk,tillthedayispastandby.AndOnlytheroadandthedawn,thesun,thewindandtherain,Andthewatchfireunderthestars,andsleepandtheroadagain.Orinlightervein(ifitbetherightsongandtherightsinger).Laughandbemerry,rememberbettertheworldwithasong.OrIt’sgoodtobeoutontheroad,andgoingoneknowsnotwhere,Goingthroughmeadowandvillage,oneknowsnotwhithernorwhy.Butlovelyasalltheseare,perhapstheyhardlybiteasagoodmottoshould;besidestheyalsoaresongsoftheroadandnotthepath,andthelastwhichisotherwisethebestmightsuggestthatwealwaysgetlost.SorathersadlyIputaway“PoemsandBallads.”AndthenIrememberedaphraseImetinabookabouttheSussexDowns.Itwassaidofsomeone,“Oh,he’sgonecosy.He’sgrownsofthecannotdowithouthisovercoatandarmchair,hehasputawaytheadventureofyouthandshutthewindowsandsitsbythefireside."Andthat,Ithought,isjustwhatweramblerstrynottodo.Wewillnotshutthewindowsoflife.Astheoldsongsays,WhatcareweforagoosefeatherbedWiththesheetturneddownsobravely,oh,To-nightwewillsleepinacoldopenfieldAlongwiththeraggle-tagglegipsies,oh.

Ofcoursewedon’ttakethelastlinesquiteliterally;formyselfatanyrate,whileIhavesleptagoodmanynightsintheopenunderthestars,ithasbeenmostlyonacampbedwithacomfortablespringmattress,andearwigsandspidersratherthanraggle-tagglegipsiesforcompany.Butcertainlyfrombeingmuchinthecountryandtheopenairwegrowharderandtougher;welearntoleadakeener,simplerlifethanthatofthetown,tofindourownwaytogowithoutthings,toendurefatigueandsometimesacertainamountofhardship.Notthatwelayclaimtoanyheroicachievements.Wehavetoomuchsenseoffunforthat;weknowthatourwildestadventuresareverysmallbeerbycomparisonwiththoseofotherplacesandtimes.Thosewhoareyoungnowhavenot,thankheaven,topassthroughthefireofwarlikethosewhowereyoungfifteenyearsago.NotforusthesupremeeffortofclimbingtheHimalayas,orwinteringaloneinGreenland,orevensuchlesseradventuresasjumpingoutofanaeroplanewithaparachuteorbreakingtheicetoswiminKestonPond(exceptperhapsbyaccident).Butwedolearntogetawayfromthefiresideandthearmchairandthestreetlamp,nottoloseourselvesinstrangeplaces,orbetterstilltofindourselveswhenlost(forthereismorejoyoveronepathfinderwholoseshisownwayandfindsitagain,thanoverascorethathavethewayfoundforthem),tostandtogetherindifficulties,togreetthemudandtherainandthecoldwithasong,tobeathomewiththewindonthelonelyheath,andthedarkwoodsandthenightskyandthestars.Welearnnotto“gocosy”.Andthereisa“cosiness”ofthemindaswellasthebodythattheopen-airlifedispels.Itiseasyintheshelterofanurbancivilisation,wheresomuchisdoneforus,tosurrenderourmindstothemachineandstopthinkingforourselves.Itiseasytoacceptthemechanicalroutineoftownlifeandthesoundsandsightsofthecity,theofficeandtheshop,toexpecttofindourpleasuresreadymadeforus,toforgettheopenspacesoftheworldandhowfullofbeautyandwondertheyare,ifwewillbutseekthemout,andhowthebesthappinessisonlywonbylongcontinuedeffort.Hardwalkinginthequietofthecountryopensthewindowsofthemindandletsinthewindtoblowawaythecobwebs.Ithelpsourmindstothinktheirownthoughts,justasourfeettofindtheirownpathsawayfromthestreetlampsandsignpostsofcustomandprejudice.Thosewhoareathomewiththecountrysideandthelifeoftheearthandtheopenairwillnotgocosyinmindanymorethaninbody.Forhowindeedshallyouthgocosybeneaththestars?SoIdonotthinktheClubcanchooseabettermottothan“Wewon’tgocosy.”

AnArticleinTheSouthernPathfinder,Spring1934TheYHA-SomeMemoriesandHopesForsomeofusIthinkthechiefeventoftheClub’slastyearhasbeenourdiscoveryofYouthHostels.Atfirst,perhaps,wewerealittleshyofthisnewthing.WethoughtitmightsetourfeetonthewayofMartharatherthanMary;ourmindswouldbesofullofstovesandfrying-pansanddouble-deckerbedsthatweshouldhavenoeyesforthemidsummersunsetorthebloomonthebirchcopseinJanuary.Wewereafraid,too,thatitmightweakenthecommonlifeoftheClub-howcouldwehopetofindinsogreatamultitudethatspiritofintimatefriendlinessthatisourjoyandpride?Butwerememberedthatouridealistoteachallourmemberstofindtheirownwayacrosscountry;thatwearenotthelessafamilypartyifwegoourseveralwaysalldayandgatheragainroundtheteatableorfire-sidetotelleachotherofwhatwehaveseenanddone.ThenwefeltsurethatweshouldfindintheYHAthatspiritthatwevalueinourownClub.Wewerenotdisappointed.AndsoitisthatnowIamtryingtotellyou,boththosewhoarehostellersandthosewhoarenotasyet,afewofmymemoriesoftheYHAasitis,andmyhopesofwhatitmaybecome.Tometheverynamesofthehostels(saveafew)arefullofmusicandromance.DerwentHall,BlackSail,Winchester,Lepham’sBridge,Shottery,Maeshafn,Brendon,Dartmeet,totakeafewalmostatrandom-theyarelikeapealofchurchbellscallingusoverthehillsandfarawaytotheseaandthemoorlandandthemountains.Myownmemoriesareofbutafew,eightonlyofthetwohundredoddthathavebeenopenedinthreeyearsalongthehighwaysandbywaysofEngland.Ofthesetherearetwoorthreethatlivealwaysinmymind.Firstofall,theCityMillatWinchester,queenofLondonRegion’shostels.Youmayseeitasyouleavethecityeastward,lyingacrosstheRiverItchenjustabovethebridge,closinginyourviewupstreamwithitsmellowbrickwallsandlongroofofweather-worntiles.Butyouactuallycometoitbyasidedoorinaby-street,stumblingdownafewstepsintoashadowypassage-room.Thecommonroom,though,islightandloftyenoughwithitsgreatopenroof;thisisthemainmillbuilding,lyingrightacrosstheriver.Downbelow,halfunderground,arethebathrooms;foryourbathatWinchesterisunique,theriverrunsthroughoneitherside,andwhenyouwantabath(insummeratleast)youtakeholdofaropeandstepdownintothemillrace.Youmustnotforgettherope;legendhasitthatsomeonewasoncesweptoutofhisbathintotheopenstream,tothedistressofthegoodpeopleofWinchester.Orifyoudonotwanttobesoadventurous,youmaystepdownintothelittlegardenthatliesupstream,partingtheriverintwoalmostlikeaboat,withawealthofbrightflowersdownthemiddle,andoneitherhandflaggedpathsandlowstonewallswhereyoumaysitandlookattheeveningskyandlistentothewater.Winchesterisnoplaceforthoselonespiritsthatwantonlytheirowncompany.EvenoutsidetheholidaysyouwillfindmanycomingandgoingthereandatEasterorWhitsunorinAugusttheremaybefiftyormore.OverallJoey,bestofwardens,ruleswithbriskunderstanding.LightsoutisnoemptycommandatWinchester.Gentlybutsurelywearemarshalledtobed;oneortwoofthemorerestlessspiritsmurmuringmaybeofthetyrannyofwoman,butobedientwithal;nobedsidegossiphere;soonthevoicesofhostellersarestilled,andonlythevoiceoftherivergoesonfillingeverycomerandeveryminute.AverydifferentplaceisNetherWallop.RememberfirstthatitisneitherNethernorWallop,buthighontheopenhills,threemilesoutbyaroadthatrunsrightovertheroofoftheDownsunflinchinglyintothesouth—westwind.ItwasawetwindwhenwewalkedintoitthatJulyeveningatanhourwhenIhadhopedtobeatsupper.Butatlastwefoundthehostel,andinitthatspiritofgoodcheerthatbefitsahostelwhosewardenisanoldsailor.Soonwewerepassablydryandsettoworktocookoursupperfromtheamplestockswehadlaidinfromthegrocerinthelastvillagejustashewasclosing.Thehostel(anoldarmyhutment)isnotaspaciousone;indeedthereis(orwas)almostneedofanotice“Cookingfacilitiesforthinhostellersandsmalleggsonly.”Stillwefedwellandsleptwell,andnextmorningwerewellrewardedforourwetting:therain-washedairwaskeenlikewine,andfullofthegoldensparkleofsunriseinanuncloudedsky,andallaroundusthelongsoftsweepofthehills.AnotherhostelthatwillalwaysliveinmymindisLepham’sBridge.Wecametoit,apartyoffifteen,aftertwenty-fivemiles’walkingonthatAugustbankholidaySundaywhentheheatwasbeyondninetyintheshade.Hourafterhourwehadwalkedoninthehot,freshsunshine,regretfulthatwecouldfindnolaketobathein,butstillcheerful,andinthefadingeveninglightastheairgrewcoolandlargeandquietandalight

mistroseonthestreams,wecameoverAshdownForestandbyvalleyandwoodland,stumblingatlastinthedimtwilightawayfromthepaththroughacopseandfieldtothehostel.Therewefoundascenealmost,onefelt,asitmusthavebeeninthedayswhenthepilgrimswenttoCanterbury.Bytheglimmerofoillampswecouldseehostellerscrowdedoneverybench,drinkingteaandeatingtomatoesandeggsandcheese-therewashardlyspacetocookoreatanythingmoreelaborate-andinthedoorwayMr.Martinhandingoutblanketsandstores.Somehowwefoundoursleepingquarters-welatecomerswereputonstretchersinthebam-andoursupper.Andwhenwewerefedandrestedalittle,Mrs.Martincameinandplayed,andwesangfitfullyandnotverytunefullymaybe,butwithourheartsfulloftheafterglowofsunset.Someoftheoldsongs,oneaboveall,AnnieLaurie,Ishallneverforget;itwasoneofthoseraremomentswhentimestandsstill.Andsotobedinthebarn.IhopeImaygotoLepham’sagainmanytimes.Itwillneverbeoneofthoseneatandorderlyplacesdeartocommittees.YoucannotexpectthemechanicalperfectionsofaLyonsComerHouseinarangeofoutbuildingsgroupedroundafarmyard,whereyoufetchwaterfromapumpandwhenthekitchenisoverfulldotherestofyourcookingonafireofoldwoodintheyard.ButLepham’swhenitisfullhasagaietyofitsown;ithumsmerrilylikeaslightlydisorderedbeehive,as“Jack”Hobbswithhisbusysmileflitstoandfro.Somuchformymemories.Nowformyhopes.ThefirsthopethatIhavefortheYHAisthatitwillnever“gocosy.”Letuskeepalwaysacertainsimplicityandhardihood.FortheYHAwasmadeforthosewho,atanyrateiftheyaretotastethefulljoysofthepilgrimandthecountrylover,cannotaffordtogocosy.Wemustbesurethatwedonotbecomesoftorexactinginourdemands,elseweshallmakethehostelstooexpensiveandclosethemtothoseforwhomabovealltheyaremeant,thosewhohaveverylittlemoneyandmustthinkofeverypennytheyspend.Butwedonotwanttoturnawaythosewhohavemoremoney,solongastheyarehappytoabidebyoursimplestandards.Ratherwewelcomethem;foritistheprivilegeoftheYHAbeyondalmostanyotherinstitution,tobringtogetherjustasfriends“allsortsandconditionsofmen”(andwomen).Bishopandblacksmithshallbeequallywelcome,providedtheyareyounginheartandwillsharethewashing-up.ThosewhocouldaffordfarmorethantheypayintheYHAcangivewhattheysavequietlytooneorotherofthemanyneedsoftheYHAitselfortohelpsaveoneorotherofthosebeautiesoftheEnglishcountrysideforwhichalltruehostellerscare.Thatisamatterthateveryhostellershouldconsidersternlywithhisconscienceandhispocket.ForwedonotwanttheYHAtobealwaysbegging.Ratherdowewantittostandmoreandmoreonitsownfeet.ItismydreamthatsomedaynoonewillbeallowedtogivemoneytotheYHAtillhe(orshe)hassleptacertainnumberofnightsinahostel.Ihaveanotherdreamthatgoesbeyondthat.IdreamthatsomedayYHAmembersmayjointosaveandmakefreeforthepeoplesomefamoushillorwoodorcliff,KinderscoutorBredonorthewoodsbesideClovelly.Whateverwemaythinkoftherightsorwrongsofprivatepropertyinbeautyspots,suchaneffortwouldatleastshowthatwereallydocareforthethingsthatarelovely,andarereadytomakesacrificestosavetheirloveliness.ButtheYHAneedsnotonlyourmoneybutoureffort.Thereisplentyofworktobedone.Thereisworkathostels;eventhebestkepthouseholdsneedsometimesthatmysticceremonialcalledspring-cleaning.Thereispaintingandgardeningandcuttingwoodandmakingswimmingpools.Thereareahundredlittlewaysinwhichwecanhelpwardenstoseethatthingsgosmoothly.Andthereisadministrativeworktoo,youcannotcoverthelandwithhostelsexceptbymuchtiresomecommitteework.Wemustnotletthatfallonlyonafewshoulders.WedonotwanttheYHArunbysomepeopleforothers;wewantittobeatruedemocracyrunbyallitsmembersforallitsmembers.Wewantitscommitteestoconsistlargelyofmemberswhoarethemselvesconstantlyusinghostels-solongasinthehostelstheyarehostellersandnotcommitteemembers.Aboveallwewanteverycommitteetohavealargeproportionofyoungmembers.AnotherthingwevalueintheYHAisitsgayfriendliness.IthasjustthatspiritofthegreatfamilypartythatwevaluesomuchinourownClub.WewhoaremembersoftheYHAmayhavemanydifferentideals,differentpoliticsandchurches,differentwaysofthinkingandliving.Butweareallpilgrimsandwanderers,lovingtheopensky.Letusmaintainthatbondunbroken,thinkingalwaysfirst,notofparticularinterests,

butoftheYHAanditsideals,allfriendstogether,withareadywelcomeforeveryfellowmember,whetherheliveonbeeforbeans,behispoliticsneversofantasticorhiscostumesostrange.Andwithalwemustnotbetooserious.Committeesandmodelhostelsarerequisiteandnecessarytosalvation,butletusnotbeovermuchpreoccupiedwiththem.Wemayfeelthatwehaveamission,butwemustnotbecomePeculiarPeopleorSeventhDayAdventists,thinkingthatoursaloneisthewayofsalvation.ButIdonotthinkweareinmuchriskofthat.Wehaveplentyofmemberswhowillseetoitthatweareremindedofthegaietyoflife.Mostofusafterallareyoung;thosewhoarenotsoyounghaveatanyratehadtheirmindswellcleansedofcobwebsbywindandrainandsunshine.Howshallwenotlaughwhenallaroundusarethemountainsskippinglikeramsandthelittlehillslikeyoungsheep?ThosearemyhopesandidealsfortheYHA.Whatoftheworldbeyond?Wearenotouttoconverttheworld,buttobeyoungtogetherourselvesintheslowold-fashionedwaythatisbestatthelast.Buthalfunawaresmaybeweshallcomeourselvesintimetomakethegreaterworldabrighter,lovelierplace,tohelp“buildJerusaleminEngland’sgreenandpleasantland.”Pilgrimsawheeloronfoot,wemaybecomethemorepilgrimsofthespirit,inspiringotherswithsomethingofthatgaygentlenessthatsimplehardihood-“wantingnotrickssaveonlytheonetricko’courageandthewilltostandalone”-thatmarksthetruepilgriminwhoseheartitisalwaysmorning.Afterallarenotallmenpilgrimsandwanderersontheearthiftheybutknewit.MaybeweoftheYHAmayhelpthemtosaywithus,Wearethepilgrims,Master,weshallgoAlwaysalittlefarther.ItmaybeThatsomewhere...

OralEvidencetotheRoyalCommissiononCommonLand,April1950Thepointsaboutaccesswewouldspeciallyliketostressarethatthereisaccessoftheeyeasofthefoot,andaccessnotjustinonedimensionalongpathsbutintwo,afreedomtoflingone’sarmsoutandroamwhereonewants,andthatnotmerelyonthehilltops,butalsoverymuchonthehillslopesandthemoors.Thisdoesnotofcourseapplytoallthebogsandthicketsthataretobefoundinthedepthsofsomecommons;weknowperfectlywellthattherearesomeplaceswhichareunattractiveandimpenetrable.Wewouldalsoliketostressverymuchthebeautyofsomewildland-wildthingssuchasbracken,gorseandbirchscrub.Intheirway-andIhavesaidthiselsewheretopeopleholdingstrongviewsonthemisuseofcommons-thesehavejustthesamesortofvalueastheflowerbedsinSt.James’sParkwhichnobodyisgoingtosuggestshouldbeusedtoeconomicadvantage.Anotherpointperhapsnotquiteenoughbroughtoutinourmemorandumisthattheaccessoftheeyeandthefreedomofthewildplacemeanagooddealtothecyclistaswellastothewalker.Halfourmembersprobablyarecyclists,lessthanhalfinthenorth,butmoreinthesouth,atanyrateamongthosewhogotoDevonandCornwall.Weareofcoursenotmotorists,butthesameconsiderationarisesforthosewhomotorthroughsomeofthesewildplaces.ItisaverygreatjoyaftergoingthroughmuchcultivatedcountrytohaveastretchofDartmoororBodminMoorevenifwearenotgoingtowalkonitverymuch.AnotherpointofmuchimportancetotheYHAisthatthereshouldberemotewildplacesnotagreatdealvisited.IwasonthetopofGreatGableatWhitsunandthereweretwenty-sevenpeoplethere.MyexperienceoftheremoteareasisperhapsrathermoreinScotlandwherethequestionofcommonsdoesnotariseexceptIthinkintheOuterHebrides,buttheaestheticvaluesareofthesametype.WhenIwentthroughGlenAffriconasimilarWhitsundayIwasaloneforthirty-sixhours.Thereisvalueinkeepingplaceswherethereisthatkindofremoteness.Onethinksofparticularcases.IthinkofthemanwhogotoffhisbicycleandwalkeddownwithmetoahostelintheCentralHighlands.IlenthimmymapsandhewentontoGlenFarrar,andhewalkedaloneoveranumberofmountainsthatarehardlyevervisited.Heisnowamathematicsseniorresearchstudent,obviouslyarisingyoungleader.IthinkoftheGeordieladwhocameinlatealoneoverthehilltotheGlenAffrichostel.IrememberthatlaterhetoldmehehadwalkedthirtymilesaloneoneweekendontheCheviots.HeisnowanAirForcerescueworkerandhasmadeacareerofit.Thosearethesortofpeopleforwhomtheremoteplacesareworthsomething.OntheotherhandtheYHAhavealsoagreatsenseofthelivingcountryside,aloveofthecountryingoodheart,ajoyingoodwoodland.WearemuchintouchwiththeForestryCommission.Wehaveowedalottotheminmanycases.Weareveryconsciousthattheyproduceamuchlessmonotonousresultthantheydid,andhavedoneagooddealinplacesforaccess.Itisnotalwaysallthatonecouldwishbutweowethemthattribute,andmanyofourpeopleareveryinterestedintheirwork.Ithinkourpeoplealsohaveagreatsenseofthevalueofgoodpastureandgoodgrazing.Itisagreatjoytothemtoseegoodgrasslandratherthanmerescrub.OnestoryperhapsImighttellisaboutarowontheSouthDownsoversomefenceswhichthefarmersaidhemusthaveifhewastokeepthelandwellgrazedandsostopthethornscrubspreading.Oneofourpeople,atoughyoungmanwhohadbeenaccustomedtobaitkeepersonKinderwasaskedtogodownandhavealookattheplaceandsaywhetherhemindedthefences.Onhisreturnhesaid,“Idonotmindthefencesintheleast,theyarenoimpediment,butIgotstuckinthethornscrubandittookmehalfanhourtogetout.”IwouldliketoaddonthatpointthattheYHAarenottoohappythattheMinistryofAgricultureisassuccessfulasitwouldlikeingettingalotofprivatelandwellfarmed.WhatitcomestoIthinkisthatwedotrytotakeabalancedviewofthesethings,butwedonotwanttoseeamajorsacrificeofthosevaluesoflandscapeandremotenessthatinpracticemanyofthecommonsinvariouswaysindifferentpartsofthecountryhavegivenus.OnthewholeIthinktheyoungergenerationseemtocarelessforprinciplesinmatterslikethisthanperhapsminedidbutIthinkprobablytheycarejustasmuchperhapsmore,forthepractice,andperhapstheircareforthepracticemeansthatintheendtheyservethosevaluesmoreeffectively.Ithinkthatisthespiritinwhichwetrytoapproachtheseproblems.

Alettertohistypist,February1976

REMINISCENCES

JamesShawGrant,August1989AManinaGasCape:ArticleinTheStornowayGazetteandWestCoastAdvertiserIreadmyGazetteweekbyweeknotonlywithinterestbutwithwonderanddelight.Wonderthatsomuchcanbehappeninginasmallcommunity.Delightthatitshouldbeso.Inevitably,asIread,mymindgoesbacktotheearlythirtieswhenIwasscrapingaroundfornews.Averymediocreconcertratedacolumnorsoofspace,andcouncilmeetingswerereportedalmostverbatim.Nothingelsewashappening,exceptreligious(orirreligious!)squabblesandobituaries.Itwasadepressingbutachallengingtime.BytheendofthethirtiestheIslandswerebeginningtostruggleoutoftheSloughofDespond,butevensothetransformationwhichhasovertakentheirsociallife-mainly,butnotall,forthebetter!-inthelasttwenty-fiveyearsisquiteastonishing.Thiscommentisprovokedbythejuxtapositionofseveralitemsinarecentissue,particularlytheannualreportonAnLanntairandtheopeningoftheHerbertGatliffYouthHostelinBerneray.HerbertGatliffdeservestoberememberedintheIslandswithgratitudeandaffection.Iwellremembermyfirstmeetingwithhim.Iwastoldbyoneofthestafftherewasatrampatthedoorwhowantedtospeaktome.“Showhimin”,Isaid,wonderingwhatstrangestorywasabouttounfold.Insteadofatramp,IwasgreetedbyaseniorcivilservantwhohadheldhighofficebothintheTreasuryandtheMinistryofTownandCountryPlanning.Amanofconsiderableintellectwithmanyfriendsofthesamecalibre,butwhowaspossessed-Idon’tthinkthewordistoostrong-byaloveoftheHighlandsandIslands.Thesmallremoteplaces.Hewasweather-beatenafterweeksofwalkingthroughthehills.Tousledabitfromsleepingroughoratbestinyouthhostelswheretheywereavailable.Hishairwaslongandabitunkempt,inthefashionoftheday,althoughithadnotthenpenetratedtotheIslands.Andhewasdressedinaratherdilapidated,wartime,camouflagedgascape.Itwasthebeginningofacorrespondencewhichspannedmanyyears.Hisletterswerehandwrittenonsmallsheetsofpaper,torn,Iguessed,fromaduplicatingnotebook,sothatheretainedacopy,whichhewouldneedtodo,becausehekeptupavoluminouscorrespondence,muchofitwithbrightyoungpeoplehehadmetonhishostellingtripsandwhomhewantedtoimbuewithhisownloveforoutofthewayplaces.HislateryearsweredevotedtoestablishingsmallhostelsinareastheSYHAhadnotreached.Heparticularlywantedthemtobeintegratedwiththecommunity.Partlysothatlocalswouldbenefitfromanysmallfinancialspin-off,butmuchmoreimportantlybecausehewantedtheyoungfolkfromthecitiestomixwithandlearnfromthosewhoreallylivedinthecountryside.Hepouredagooddealofhisownmoneyintotheworkandwhenhediedheleftatrustfundsothatitcouldcontinue.Atthattime,forreasonsIneverunderstood,hegotnohelporencouragementfromtheSYHA.Hewasswimmingagainstanadverse,oratleastindifferent,officialtide.ItgavemeparticularpleasuretoseethatthenewBernerayHostelhasthebackingoftheSYHA,andthattheCountrysideCommissionandtheCouncilofSocialServicewerebothrepresentedattheopeningceremony.ThatisthesortofmemorialHerbertGatliffwouldhavewished.Hemaybenolongerwithus,buthehadmadehispoint!ShortlyafterhediedIwassummonedtoStornowaytogiveevidencebeforeaParliamentaryCommitteethenvisitingtheIslands.IwastoldtheywantedtoquestionmeaschairmanoftheHarrisTweedAssociation.Muchtomysurprise,HarrisTweed,theIsland’sprincipalindustry,washardlymentioned.IwasgrilledforacoupleofhoursonthequestionwhyLewiswasnotproducingitsownmilksupplylikeOrkney.Itwasafrustratingexperience.Thereisnothingmoredifficultthanfendingoffthequestionsofpeoplewhobelieveinmiraclesandcannotunderstandwhyyouarenotperformingthem.Attheend,oneoftheMPs,whoseemedtobebetterinformedthantherest,cameovertospeaktomeprivately.“Iwashopingtohaveawordwithyou”,shesaid.“IwasaregularreaderoftheGazetteformanyyears.”

Thatshookme.ShesatforanEnglishindustrialconstituencyandwasverymuchinthenewsatthetimebecauseshewastoohotapoliticalpotatoevenforherleft-wingconstituencyexecutivetohandle.Theywerereportedtobetryingtoedgeheroutoftheseatbecauseshewasnotonlyaveryactivefeministbutanavowedlesbian.ShecertainlydidnotfittheprofileIhadinmymindofthetypicalreaderoftheStornowayGazette.SheexplainedthatbeforegoingintoParliamentshehadbeenacivilservant.HerbosshadbeenHerbertGatliffandheinsistedonherreadingtheGazettesothatshecouldunderstandthatLondonwasnotBritain,andlearnwhatmadearealcommunitytick.IhadalwaysknownHerbertGatliffwasafriendoftheIslands,but,upuntilthen,Ihadnotrealisedhewasourself-appointedmoleinhighplaces.BobChaneyMemberofYHANationalCouncilfromManchesterHehadhisownverydistinctivemodeofaddress,whichcommandedattentionassoonashestartedtospeak,andwhichcouldmakepeoplethinktwicebeforedisagreeingwithhisopinions.Hedidnotwastewords,andhenevergaveanyhintofbias,politicalorotherwise.Ifelthewasaverygenuineandsincereman,withnotimeforshowmanshiporplayingtothegallery,whodeeplylovedsuchwideopenandlonelypartsofourcountryasstillremained,andwhowouldgivehisallinsupportofanycauseinwhichhebelieved.JackFrameVice-presidentofScottishYouthHostelsAssociationWeusedtoseehimyearlyatInverAlligininthe50swhenhewasonhisroundofthehostels.WehadaweecottageinWesterAlligin,thesixofus,andourManchesterfriendshadanothercottage.OneSunday,verywet,everyonecampingorhostellingintheareadecidedtovisitus!Inwalkedthe‘oldman’(forwedidn’trealisehehadretiredatabout55andwasn’tasoldashelooked).Therefollowedamonologueaboutthestateofallthehostels-irrespectiveoftheinterestsofalltheothers.ThelateAlanGardinerLongservingYHAvolunteeronYHA’sCommitteesandCouncilsandafoundermember(withHerbertGatliff)ofCroydonYHALocalGroupOfmeetingHerbertinhishugeofficeattheTreasuryandhimextractingallhiswalkingkitfromastatelyfilingcabinet!Heusedtoleaveforweekendhostellingbythebackdoor!OfcrossingtheLarigGhruwithHerbert,ofbathing(justdippingasitwasvery,verycold)inthePoolsofDeeinthemiddleoftheLariginthebuff.Ofcampingovernight,watchingthetorrentialrainthroughtheopenendofthetentandofthewindsuddenlychangingandsoakingus.Ofsoakingexposedskininoilofcitronella-themidgesjustpaddledwithgreaterirritationandthencrouchingroundtheprimusstovewhichhelpedalittletokeeptheirnumbersdown.Herbert'sbootsexposingmoreandmorefootuntilthebootswerethrownawayandhecontinuedbarefoot.Ofbathinginanotherpoolinthebuff,suddenlyrealisingamixedpartywasapproaching,makingourselvesrespectableandsittingonamoundjustaboveonlytoseeourvisitorsstripofftothebuffanddivein.OfHerbertatNationalCouncilandRegionalAGMspushingcountrysideissuesagainstoppositionbutwithsuchcharmanderuditionthatyoucouldnotpossiblybutagree!GrahamHeathPastSecretary,InternationalYouthHostelsFederationIcametoYHANationalOfficeasaveryyoungAssistantSecretaryin1937.IwasblissfullyunawareofYHApolitics,butIsoonrealisedthatalong,handwrittenletterfromHerbertGatliff(addressedfromtheTreasury)meanttrouble;itwasaction-stationsforthatgoodpacifistJackCatchpool(YHANationalSecretary)-astheminutesandfilesweresearchedfordefensiveammunition...Notbeinginvolvedinfinancialmatters,IhadlittlepersonalcontactwithHerbert.ButIwasverynearlyresponsibleforhisearlydemise.TherewastobeacommitteemeetingatSaltburn,andIofferedtogiveHerbertaliftinmynewlyacquiredcar.Itwasayoungman’scar,aconvertible,andthedaywascold.WedroveallthewayuptheNorthRoadwiththetopopen,andIexpatiatedonthevirtuesoffreshair.Herbert’snose,anobleorgan,

turnedincreasinglyblue.Buthenevercomplained.However,forthehomewardjourneyhechoseanotherformoftransport.CarolJohnsonEx-MPMymostfrequentandclosestconnectionswithHerbertGatlifftookplaceintheCommons(nowOpenSpaces)Societywhere,apartfromtheSociety’sbusinessheoftentalkedwithorwrotetomeabouthisotherinterests,andinparticularhisactivitiesinopeningupthewilderpartsofBritaintoyoungpeople:heshowedmetheirlettersandwritings-vividinphraseandoftenpoeticalincharacter-whichshowedwhataninfluencehehadhadinopeningtheeyesofyoungpeopletothegloriesofourcountrysideandinparticularitsmoorsandhillsandmountains.HerbertGatliffservedonanumberofbodiesandmadehispresencefeltonallofthem,asinawayhewasdifferentfrommanyofusinhisairofunconventionality:hewasindeeda‘character’ineverysenseofthewordandoftenexhibitedanindividualapproachtoproblems.Inthefieldoffinanceheimpressedeveryonewithhis(tomanyofus)specialandunusualknowledgeabout‘city’waysandtheworldoffinance.Buthebroughttoallproblemsahighlytrainedmindandanindividualapproach-indeedheseemedtometohavea‘wide-angled’mindwhichoftenintroducedaquitedifferentbutinvariablygermaneideathatraisedthediscussiontoamorerelevantlevel.HerbertGatliffwasamanonewouldnoteasilyforgetandoneremembershimalwayswithasenseofgratitude.MaxKirbyPastNationalTreasurer,YHAItwasattheendofMay1947thatIfirstmetHerbertGatliff.IwasonawalkingholidayinCoigachandWesterRossstayingatSYHAhostelseachnight,whichatthattimeweremostlysmallcrofter’scottagesoroldschoolhouses.MycompanionandIhadspentonenightatInverAlligin,an18bedhostelinasmallcottageonthenorthsideofLochTorridonwhereweweretheonlypeoplestayingatthetimeandleftafterbreakfasttospendthedaywalkingonthepeaksofLiathach.Uponourreturnwehadbeenjoinedbyaslightlystoopedmiddle-agedmanwhowaswearingkhakishorts.HehadaPunch-likefaceandratherlongandunrulyhairwhichfelloverhisfaceatregularintervals.HetoldushehadlefthisofficewhichwasinLeedsatthattimeandhadtakenthenighttraintoInverness.HehadtravelledaloneinafirstclasscompartmentinwhichhehadcookedhismealsonaType96PrimusstovemuchtotheconsternationandconcernoftheGuard.DuringthelongeveningwhilstwepreparedandcookedoursuppersonthesolidfuelstovebythelightofcandlesandahurricanelampwetalkedofourjourneysandtheburningtopicsofScottishcountrysidemattersofthattime,afforestationmainlyofconifers,andtheplansoftheNorthofScotlandHydroElectricityBoardforsomeofthemostbeautifulglens.Nextmorningwemadeourwaydowntothevillagetopayourovernightfeesandtotakethewarden’slaunchacrossthelochtoShieldaig-therewasnoroadonthesouthsideinthosedays.Herewepartedcompany-Herbertwithalightweighttent,foodandhisprimustosustainhimonthecoastalpathtoApplecross,whilstwemadeabeelinefortheCorriesandthentothehostelatNorthStrome.InthetwentyyearsorsowhichfollowedIwasprivilegedtoreceivemanynoteswrittenonthepagesoftriplicatenotebooksinahandwhichwasdifficulttodecipherbutalwaysofinteresttoread,andtoservewithhimontheNationalExecutiveandFinanceCommitteesofYHA.DickKnapp

PastNationalSecretary,YouthHostelsAssociationHerbertwasauniquecharacter.Manyfolkcouldnotaccommodatethemselvestohisuncompromisingattitudetosomeamenityquestions,hisoddmannerofspeakingandhisalmostillegibleandlengthynotes.ButhewasverykindandsupportivetomefromthetimewhenonmyappointmenttotheYHASecretaryship,heinvitedmetogoashisguesttotheAnnualMeetingoftheCouncilfortheProtectionofRuralEngland.HedevotedmuchtimeandthoughttotheYHAbecausehebelievedpassionatelyinencouragingandenablingyoungpeopletothinkandactforthemselves,particularlybyexploringthecountryside-especiallythewild,remoteareaswhichwouldchallengetheircourageandinitiative.Hefeltstronglythattheseobjectivescouldbebestachievedbytheprovisionofthesimplestpossibleovernightaccommodation,ofwhichhisScottish‘bothies’wereapracticalillustration.Longmayhisspiritinvestthem.PeterKnottleyCyclingjournalistfromCheam,SurreyHerbertwenttogreatlengthstoascertaintheviewsoftheyoungoncountrysideandamenitymattersandtoencouragethemtotakepartinYHAaffairs.Typically,IrecallavisitwithhimtoBerryHeadinsouthDevon,wheresomegravellydevelopmentwasproposed,togetsomeideaofitsextentandeffectandtoformsomeopiniononwhethertheproposalshouldbeopposedandifsoonwhatgrounds.Thiswouldhavebeenabout1952.IstronglysuspectIlearnedagooddealmorefromHerbertthandidhefromme.IoftenthinkofHerbertandhiswork,whichdelayedthedestructionofsomuchofourheritageforsolong,whenIamoutandaboutinthecountry,andinparticularIinvariablydosowhenintheScottishhillsandglens.Theyweresurelyhisspiritualhome,andIcanreadilyimagineHerbertamongthemstill,conversingashewalks,completewithrucksack-andperhaps,umbrella,too.SteveMcCombiePastYHACommitteeandCouncilmemberfromGreenwich...ButwhatwassoremarkableaboutHerbertwashisabilitytobridgethegenerationgap.Toagreatdegree,toarticulatetheviewsandaspirationsofyoungpeoplefarbetterthanthosearoundhim.Thiswasbecausehewasactuallyintouchwiththemfromhisencountersinhostelsandthecorrespondencethatensued.Hewasconstantlyarmedwith,andquotingfrom,recentlettersfromyounghostellers(whoIrecollectwereinvariablymale–simplehostelsintheOuterHebrideswereperhapsconsideredrathertooadventurousforyoungladiesinthosedays).Herberthadapassionateconcerntoencourageadventurebyyoungpeopleinthecountrysideandsawhostels(aswellasbothies,campingetc)asameanstothatend.AtatimeinthelatefiftiesandearlysixtieswhentheYHAwasgettingmiddleagedandmoribund,increasinglyinterestedinorganisedschoolparties,familyhostellingand,indeed,anythingthatenabledoldstagerstocarryonhostellingliketheyalwayshad,HerbertperformedamostmemorableserviceinstressingtherealprinciplesforwhichtheYHAexisted‘toencouragethefirstindependentadventureoftheyounginexploringthecountryside’.GeorgeandSheilaPerryPastwardensofKemsingYouthHostelWerememberhischampionshipofKeithChambers;hisverbosity,apparentvagueness,hisscholarship,greatkindness,andaboveallhisgreatcourtesyandcountry-gentlemandemeanour,typifiedbyhisinvariablehostellingdressofknickerbockersandlongstockings.GeorgeparticularlyremembersHerbert’soft-usedprefacewhenhestooduptoaddressameeting,‘Broadlyspeaking...’.ThelateBryanSpeedyMemberofYHACommitteesandCouncilsHisappearanceatLloyd’salwayscausedsomethingofastir;heinvariablyarrivedtrailinganarmysurplusgascaperoundhisankles;asaresultmybrothersalwaysreferredtohimas‘Gascape’!Histendencytothreatentoaddcodicilstohiswillifthingswerenotgoinghisway!

Heoncerelatedtomehow,inhismarrieddays,hewasdownatsomeremotehostelinCornwall‘justgettingthefeelofthehostellers’whenhiswifearrivedfromthelocalhotelanddestroyedthewholeatmosphere!Anotherquote:‘thefinestfoodinLondonistobefoundinLyonsComerHouse’.BernardTraynerPastPublicityOflicer,YHAHerbertwasanindefatigableletterwriter,usingcarbonpapernotebooks.Notonlyindefatigable,butalmostillegible.Icouldreadhiswriting,butnotgetthesenseofitwithouthavingittypedout.InonememorableweekIreceived50pagesofGatliffcode,andafterafewweeksofnothavingreplied,IfeltIoughttoapologisewhenImethim.Herbertwasnotputoutandsaid,‘Evenifyoudon’treply,Ithinkitusefulforyoutoknowwhatisgoingthroughmymind’.IusedtodreadAugustwhentheNationalSecretary,AccountantandCountrysideOfficerwereallonholiday,asheusedtoringmeup,complainabouttheabsences,andtellmewhathewantedtodiscusswitheachofficer.Attheendofithesometimesforgotwhathereallywantedtodiscusswithme.ThelateMichaelTrinickNationalTrustDirector,Cornwall‘Gatters’-neverknownasanythingelse-satontheEstatesCommitteeoftheNTfrombeforemyjoiningin1950until-Ithink-shortlybeforehisdeath.Whilehewasdistinctlyanoddmanout,inwhatwasthenasomewhataristocraticlandowningmembership,hewasentirelycapableofholdinghisownandprojectinghispersonawhichwasbasedontheopenair,simplicity,idealism.IthinkGattershadbeenattheMinistryofHousingandLocalGovernment,andthatitwashe-actingasananonymouscivilservant~whoensuredthatoneoftheearliestcasesofcoastallandcomingtotheTrustunderNationalLandFundprocedurewaspushedthrough.ThispropertyistheKelsey,awonderfulheadlandwestofNewquay-withbeachesoneithersideofit-onwhichIwassubsequentlyabletobuildamini-empire.Gatterskepttheballinplayfromabout1948until1951whenthelandwaseventuallytransferredtotheTrust.NoelVincentFirstWardenofTannersHatchYouthHostel,SurreyIwasalwaysimpressedbyhisvoice-sodeepandresonanttocomefromamanwhowasonthesmallside.Ithinkitwashewhotoldthathewassenttoaprovincialcitytoadviseontheirfinances.Afteranimpressivedinnerwiththeburgessestheytookhimtohissuiteatthebesthotel.Afterwaitingforthecoasttoclear,outhecomeswithshorts,bootsandrucksack,walksupthehillsabovethetowntospendthenightinhislittle‘Itisa’beforecomingdownatdawn.

THEGATLIFFTRUSTTrustees:FrankMartin(Chairman),ArthurMeaby(ViceChairman),

MalcolmCampbellMBE(HonSecretary),RevCanonRogerClifton(Treasurer),AlanBusson,PeterClarke,DeirdreForsyth,ElizabethGatliff,JohnJoyce,PamMoncur,MelanieNock.

TheTrustwasoriginallysetupinSeptember1961tomakepermanentdonationstoHerbertGatliff’sfavouredcharities.ButearlyonitbecameactiveinitsownrightandthedevelopmentofsmallyouthhostelsinvernacularbuildingsintheOuterHebrideshasbeentheTrust’smajorandlastingcontributiontotheoutdoorandcountrysidemovement.Bythelate1980sthishadgrowntosuchanextentthataseparateScottishcharity,GatliffHebrideanHostelsTrust(GHHT)(UrrasOsdaileanNanGallGatliff)wasestablished.WithbothTrustsbeingdependententirelyonvoluntaryeffort,ithastakensometimeforGHHTtobecomeself-sufficientbutthesupportfromindividuals,charitabletrusts,sponsors,statutoryandlocalauthoritybodieshasbeenveryencouragingandimpressive.TheGatliffTrustmakesmodestannualdonationsto:BreintonChurch,nearHerefordCouncilforNationalParksCouncilfortheProtectionofRuralEnglandCroydonYHALocalGroupFriendsoftheBodleianLibrary,OxfordHistoricChurchesPreservationTrustNationalTrustNationalTrustforScotlandOpenSpacesSocietyPedestrians’AssociationRamblers’AssociationRugbySchoolClubs,Bradby,WarwickshireScottishCouncilforNationalParksSocietyfortheProtectionofAncientBuildingsTheWoodlandTrustSpecialpurposegrantsareusuallypromotedbyoneoftheTrustees.TheTrust’sworkisdirectedtoenablingyoungpeopletoappreciatetheBritishcountryside.AbriefAnnualReportisproducedandeverythreeyearsamoredetailedReportispublishedbytheTrust.InJune1994aseminarwasheldatKendalYouthHosteltoconsidertheTrust’sfutureinrelationtotheoutdoorandcountrysidemovements;areporthasbeenpublished.Ifyouwouldlikeanyofthesepleasewriteto:MalcomCampbellMBE98AgarGroveCamdenSquareLONDONNW19TLTheTrustwelcomesdonationsandlegacies.