Autumn Gathering 2024

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. And touch wood, there may even be time for a soirée!

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.

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 Bookings Organiser is Dave Tilley.

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, elect 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.

Please aim to arrive from 5pm on Friday 1st November (dinner will be at 7pm) and be ready to leave after breakfast on Monday 4th November.

Event Bids for 2025

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.

Maintenance Group Vacancy

After doing a sterling job as Treasurer, keeping the ECC on a strong financial footing over the past 3 at times challenging years, Shaun Kent is stepping down.

Paul Ryan is currently shadowing to take over this vital role, but if you feel that you have any financial management skills that can help or assist the MG in any way, then please do get in touch.

Dave Edwards, who has done an amazing job over many years as contacts database and social media manager, is also stepping down. If you have any ideas around ECC's presence on social media, or for any other potential task holder positions, then please do get in touch with the MG.

Thanks for all your amazing hard work Shaun and Dave!

The Organisers

The Autumn Gathering is organised and hosted by the current members of the ECC Maintenance Group. Shaun Kent (Treasurer), Mike Kaye (Company Secretary), and Rob Parker (Newsletter & publicity). They'll be supported by David Wray in the kitchen.

Dave Tilley will be handling bookings, and will be pleased to answer queries about the accommodation and bookings. All enquiries please e-mail Dave at tilsit [at] btinternet.com

Shaun

Mike

Rob

David

Dave

Catering

ECC’s superb cook David Wray will be in charge of the catering and as usual our 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.

Covid Guidelines

As agreed by last year’s Annual Gathering, ECC’s Covid guidelines will be reviewed at this event.