About Us
Leeds CHA Rambling & Social
Club was formerly part of the Countrywide
Holidays Association which is a national organisation set up to encourage
participation in, and enjoyment of, the countryside. Leeds CHA was established
in 1898 and we currently have over 300 members. Despite our size we remain a
friendly club and welcome any new members wishing to come along and join us for
walks and get a taste of what our club has to offer. We cater for all levels of
fitness and often run several walks each week that vary in distance and
difficulty.
We publish all our walks
and events well in advance to give our members the chance to plan ahead. Our syllabus
is published every 6 months and a copy is available on our web site by selecting
the month you wish to view from the syllabus page. The syllabus page also
details relevant information on the meeting places and travel for the walks and
social events.
The membership fees are
detailed below and if you wish to get in contact with us to discuss joining our
club or coming along on one of our walks, please go to the contact
us page where you will find full details of the relevant person to contact
by post or via e-mail.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
(Annual - due 1st April)
Single Member........................................£4.00
Joint Members (at same address)...............£6.00
Family Membership Supplement..................£1.00
The prompt payment of your subscription will be appreciated. Please send
S.A.E. if you require a receipt by return of post.
Non-members may attend up to three events before joining the club, but on
any occasion where numbers are limited, members shall have priority at all
times.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
History
of the Countrywide Holidays 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 guest weeks 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.
Then at the turn of this century, in 1999, the commercial holiday operation
known as Countrywide Holidays became operated under licence by Shearings
Holidays Ltd. This has given a very wide destination base for holidays around
the country, with improved accommodation facilities and the availability of
coach transport. 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
This site is © Copyright Jennifer Platts 2007-2008, All Rights Reserved.
Website templates
|