BIG WEEKEND THE PAST TWENTY YEARS
Kevin Sene delves into some highs and lows of the Big Weekend in recent years
Since the Outdoor Writers ’ Guild * was formed in 1980 , the AGM get-together has become one of the highlights of the year . In those early days , it made sense to meet during the Camping and Outdoor Leisure Association ( COLA ) trade show as many members were gear writers and would be there anyway , and it was handily timed around the end of the Himalayan climbing season . The venue was the George Hotel in Harrogate .
The trade show is no more but the AGM & Awards Dinner – as it became known - has continued to evolve in both scope and destinations . However , newer members may be surprised to learn that until recent years hotel accommodation was often used , such as in Glasgow in 2004 , at Lancaster University in 2005 and at an Edinburgh Holiday Inn in 2006 . Members would typically book directly with the hotel using a discount code .
That didn ’ t prevent trips to the great outdoors though , including hill walking in the Pentlands , mountain biking in the Scottish Borders , and a rainy coach trip to Ben Lomond . Weekends in Chester and Morpeth followed , plus a memorable trip to Anglesey , which included a ‘ red squirrel hunt ’, coasteering , sea kayaking , and a walk up Holyhead Mountain . You ’ ll be glad to know that no red squirrels were harmed during the event .
Another difference was that tourist boards and local councils often helped with arranging activities and even sponsorship , which is difficult to imagine nowadays in these more financially austere times . Discounted ferry or rail tickets were sometimes available too . Much of the credit in securing these links was due to Terry Marsh , who was organiser at that time .
With Dennis Kelsall now in charge , one of the most remarkable sponsored trips was to Jersey in 2012 , partly because Jersey ’ s tourist board subsidised flights , accommodation and car hire , as well as laying on an array of activities . Highlights included free tickets for Jersey Zoo and a fast boat trip to one of the UK ’ s most remote outposts , the tidal islands of Les Ecréhous .
Dennis recalls that “ almost as soon as we got there , Jonathan Williams of Cicerone , who was Chair at the time , and myself were whisked away to give a local radio interview about the Guild , which was quite a surprise . Due to heavy rainfall the night before we also realised that almost half of the island seemed to be flooded , but it all worked out well in the end .”
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Cumbrae Glasgow Edinburgh Kielder Forest Morpeth Newlands Grange-over-Sands Lancaster Malham
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The December 2006 issue of Bootprint recalls that the P for Photographers was introduced from October 2007 , and Bootprint itself was renamed as Outdoor Focus that year too .
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Plas Y Brenin Chester Shropshire
Norfolk Broads Exmoor Isle of Wight
12 outdoor focus / summer 2023