Report 2014 - Beasley Back Dane

BEASLEY
BACK DANE
ANNUAL REPORT 2014
18th year of Beasley Back Dane
48 years of volunteering
BEASLEY BACK DANE
Charity Reg No 1089834
Company No 4323497
The Charity’s objects are:
(i)
To afford opportunities by which men and women, in a spirit of friendship,
international understanding and voluntary discipline, may, without regard
to their race, religion, creed or politics, be encouraged and enabled to
give to the community, either individually, or in groups, effective voluntary
service within the following objects (and not otherwise); and for the
purpose to provide a sound system of training for those who wish to give
such service.
(ii)
(a)
To relieve distress, poverty, sickness and disease.
(b)
To provide and improve facilities for the well-being and recreation
of old or handicapped people and of refugees who are in need.
(c)
To provide and improve educational and recreational facilities for
needy children and young people.
The activities of the charity are currently:
To organise weekend activities at Back Dane for children, handicapped etc.
To manage and maintain Back Dane cottage.
To run the “Tuesday Club” for adults with learning difficulties.
John Foxcroft - Chairman
Beasley Back Dane
Committee 2014
Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
Back Dane Organiser
Back Dane Environment
Children's Outings
Tuesday Club
John Foxcroft
John Foxcroft
Dave Evans
Dave Cordon
Jamie Davis
Jean Davis
Linda Spence
Rick Davis
Dave Evans
Trustees 2014
John Foxcroft
Dave Evans
Rick Davis
Dave Cordon
Jean Davis
Linda Spence
Jamie Davis
Dave Moseley
Mike Willmot
John Anfield
Paul Wilson
Chairman
Secretary/ Tuesday Club
Treasurer
Back Dane Organiser
Children’s Organiser
Children’s Organiser
Back Dane Environment
Back Dane Environment
Tel: 01335 370872
Tel: 01332 513460
Tel: 01629 583612
Tel: 01158 493946
Tel: 01629 583612
seconded Nov 2013
Regular events
Tuesday evenings:-
Watson Rooms, St Augustine's Church
Upperdale Road, Derby
7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
A lively club for the mentally handicapped.
Monthly:-
Weekends at Back Dane cottage, Wincle, near Leek.
Either improving weekends or weekend holidays for children, adults
with learning difficulties or single parent families.
For more information
Web site:
Email:
www.backdane.co.uk
backdane@gmail.com
Chairman’s Report
On April 28th 2014 we sadly lost our great friend David Robinson. You will read tributes to him
in this report. In his lifetime David made a massive voluntary contribution to many through Back
Dane, he will be greatly missed. David has left Beasley Back Dane a very substantial legacy
which presents us with opportunities we may only have dreamed of up until now. In David’s
memory it is our responsibility to convert dreams into reality.
Our ability to raise funds for developing Back Dane has been impaired for many years due to
restrictive clauses in the 999 year lease between ourselves and IVS (International Voluntary
Service). After an arduous journey the lease was converted to freehold in November 2014.
Thanks to IVS and Ben Moon, IVS Vice-chair, for their help in resolving this problem. This now
enables us to proceed with utilising David’s legacy without uncertainties. Thanks also to Stephen
Marshall of Geldards ( formerly Robinsons) for his advice through several years of negotiations.
As we move forwards with developments thanks go to Graham Kirkham for taking on managing
the track improvements and also to George Love of Morrison Design and David Simpson of Sir
William Baird who are supporting us through Pro-Help Derby and who will shortly have some
outline proposals for bringing the barn at Back Dane into effective use.
2015 presents us with many opportunities- we are very fortunate, thank you David, and thank you
to all of you who support Beasley Back Dane.
John Foxcroft
Chairman.
Secretary’s report
We all knew that it was inevitable. The advance of the disease was inexorable and unpreventable.
For months and years, Dave Robinson had hung in there against all the odds, but on April 28th
2014 it beat him and we all lost a friend and a wonderful individual. He survived as long as he
did because of, firstly his phenomenal constitution and secondly, the outstanding care he received
from Mick Jones. It was exceptionally cruel that Dave succumbed to an incredibly rare disease,
Cortico Basal Degeneration, an aggressive neurological disease, when in every other respect he
had the health and fitness of someone twenty years his junior. We all owe him an incredible debt
of gratitude for his selfless devotion to Back Dane. Not only did he make an enormous difference
to Derby IVS by taking on the roles of leading the restoration of Back Dane, then its management,
maintenance and continued development, but a memorable difference too, to all of those who
visited there over the last thirty plus years, including Scouts, health groups, children from diverse
backgrounds with varying needs and more recently Combat Stress victims. It is surprising how
well known Back Dane is and how often people pop up who have been there. Without Dave it is
questionable how much of it would have happened. No wonder he was often referred to as “Mr
Back Dane”.
That would have been legacy enough, but Dave left Beasley Back Dane a financial legacy too.
BBD has received a staggering figure of over half a million pounds from his will. This money
will enable a major development of Back Dane by bringing the barn into use. As this legacy is
relatively recent news, the ideas and plans are still being deliberated over. The challenge is to
develop and modernise it without losing its quintessential character. Work has already started to
improve the track, with the final work due to be completed in Spring. In parallel, Paul Wilson is
developing plans for commercial sponsorship for Back Dane, described later in this report.
There will be decisions to be made on investment of the remainder, to which end a sub-committee
has been formed and we are pleased to welcome Graham Kirkham back to lead it.
Dave passed away on April 28th, and his funeral was on May 13th, with a large turnout of his
friends and relatives. The service was given by his cousin, Rev Roger Dunlop, who along with
John Anfield and John Foxcroft gave personal tributes, which are included in this report.
Dave had appointed four trustees to execute his will and manage his affairs after he was gone, so
to those four fell the task of sorting his effects. For those of you who ever visited Dave’s house,
you will appreciate that this was not a straightforward task. Dave Cordon salvaged the records
and hardware that were useful to Back Dane; John Anfield salvaged the family effects including
thousands of photos; the important documents were passed to an appointed solicitor and the rest
had to go. Thanks to John Foxcroft who facilitated much of the clearance and oversaw the sale of
the house, completing in October, after the complication of having to have asbestos professionally
removed.
There was a commemoration barbecue to Dave at Back Dane at the end of September, where a
brew of beer in his name was unveiled and tasted (very favourably). It was good to see so many
there.
Photos of this can be found on the website
https://www.flickr.com/photos/38521899@N05/sets/72157648371821217/
There are numerous photos of Dave on the website
https://www.flickr.com/photos/38521899@N05/sets/72157645099073094/
A gravestone has been ordered and should be installed in early February. It is intended to invite
anyone interested to an unveiling around the anniversary of his death.
There are other tributes to Dave in this report.
Dave’s passing and his legacy overshadowed what in any other year would have been the major
news, namely that after negotiations with national IVS, Back Dane now belongs to BBD as
freehold, as opposed to the previous arrangement of a 999 year lease. The previous arrangement
was a major obstacle in applying for grants and matching funding. Our sincerest thanks to John
Foxcroft for the months of effort to achieve this.
The regular activities continued throughout all this emotion and excitement. Dave Cordon
continued to do a stalwart job leading the management, maintenance and improvements at Back
Dane assisted by his team of volunteers. See their articles later in this report.
BBD sponsored several children’s weekends run variously by Linda & Elaine and volunteer
leaders from Derby Kids Camp. Our thanks to all those volunteers.
Tuesday Club carried on in its own imitable way on most Tuesdays throughout the year, with the
addition oof a trip to the panto and a couple of outings to the seaside.
The trustees met in April and October. Chris Edwards (Derby Kids Camp) and Graham Kirkham
were invited to attend the October meeting to add their expertise to the debates.
The website www.backdane.co.uk is being revamped and hopefully the new site will be available
shortly. Thanks to Jamie and Jonathon for undertaking this.
Dave Evans
Peter David Robinson
16 June 1939 – 28 April 2014
David, or Robbo as he was often affectionately known, was born and grew
up in the city of York. He later attended Sheffield University to study
Electrical Engineering. After graduating he joined the Traction Division
of AEI, Trafford Park where he was involved in the design of electrical
systems for trains throughout the world. After a decade of service to that
company he joined the staff of British Rail in Derby. It caused him great
amusement that some of his earliest assignments with BR involved
chasing up delays in contacts from his old company in Manchester, citing
promises made by their Mr. P. D. Robinson.
David had always been quick to help others and one of the first things he
did on moving to Derby was to join the Derby branch of International
Voluntary Service (IVS – the forerunner of Beasley Back Dane), which
had just started organizing weekend trips into the countryside for disadvantaged children at Back
Dane. The 147th Derby (Ockbrook) Rover Scout Crew had some years previously started renting
Back Dane from the Swythamley Estate for 10/- (50p) a week and the upkeep of the premises.
They were keen to have other groups help support this venture. Then, when in 1974 the Scouts
felt unable to continue with the management of Back Dane, David was a keen advocate that
Derby IVS should take over the running of Back Dane from them. This they did, but it was a
short-lived tenure as the cottage was burnt down on the evening of 27th November 1976. An
unsupervised school group staying here, came back from an evening walk to discover that coals
from the fire, they had left in the front room, had fallen out of the grate and set fire to the room. It
eventually destroyed all but the kitchen and the small upstairs bedroom.
This disaster turned out to be a blessing in disguise when, the following year, death duties forced
the break-up of the Swythamley Estate. As a going concern, Derby IVS could never have
afforded to buy Back Dane, but as a burnt-out hulk there was little other interest in its purchase.
Much to David’s delight, IVS were able to acquire it, along with the field in which it stands.
Over the next few years much of his time was devoted to rebuilding the cottage. Being a practical
type, he was able to make many substantial contributions to the restoration. In addition to this
work he also regularly helped out with children’s groups that visited the cottage. However, it was
in 1984, when his campaign for a mains electrical supply to cottage became reality, that he was
really able to make his mark. Being an electrical engineer he was at home wiring up the cottage.
In addition to wiring in the lighting and power circuits, he undertook a number of other electrical
tasks. One of the first was to install an electric pump in the well to
give the cottage a continuous supply of water. (Previously, a
petrol motor was used, and going down the hill with a can of petrol
on a dark, stormy night – which always seemed to be the time to
run out of water – was an irksome task.) The next was a system to
ensure that our main water tank was kept topped up. These days it
is done with a simple float switch, which starts the well pump
when the water-tank level is low and switches it off when the tank
is nearing full. It was not so straightforward back then and
besides, David found it much more interesting to assemble a
With Back Forrest’s Guanacos
system from old washing machine parts, TV circuits and whatever
other salvaged components he had lying around. Another project
was to wire up a system to ensure the storage heater was always charged up from Economy 7
electricity at the weekend. This was later modified to include a system to detect when people
were staying here on weekdays to make sure that they too would benefit from it. (His system has
since been simplified, but still retains much of his original wiring.) He was also responsible for
designing and installing our emergency lighting system.
It was sometime during this period that he took on the management of Back Dane. This meant
that in addition to all his other roles here (foreman, electrician-in-chief, minibus driver and
mechanic, children’s leader, purchaser-in-chief of building materials and foodstuffs, chef, etc,
etc), he also managed all the booking for the cottage and its accounts. He took early retirement
with the intention of taking a few months off to sort out some of his affairs before moving on to a
part-time job. It never happened! Back Dane became his full-time, unpaid job and he spent
almost as much time out here as in his own home.
Sadly, very late in his sixties he developed a particular virulent form of Parkinson's disease called
Cortico Basal Degeneration. He chose his seventieth birthday party, here at Back Dane, as the
time to step down from managing the property. Unfortunately his condition continued to
deteriorate and, for the last couple of years of his life, he was completely bedridden. In 2013, he
received a number of awards for his forty years of dedication to Back Dane and the hundreds
(thousands?) of disadvantaged children he had helped. The Derby Evening Telegraph made him
one of their Community Champions for that year. Subsequently, he was selected from amongst
the champions, as the winner of the Mayor of Derby’s Volunteer Award. As David was unable to
attend the ceremony (the award being collected on his behalf by some of his friends), the Mayor,
in full regalia, later visited him at his home to personally thank him for his voluntary work. A
few days afterwards, the local City Council voted him the winner of the Derby Civic Award.
He died peacefully in his sleep a few weeks short of his seventy-fifth birthday.
Dave Moseley
Back Dane Report
Back Dane Improvement weekends been a mixed bag this year progress wise. Earlier in the year
we welcomed several new volunteers who immediately settled in and re-roofed the front side of the
outbuildings which was a great achievement (well done lads) Stan has repointed the inside of the
middle barn single handed (thanks Stan) a lot of measurement and planning has been done
towards future development at the cottage. Several electrical issues have been resolved and a fan
heater installed in the shower room. Back Dane forest has been tended to and is flourishing nicely.
Thanks to all of the volunteers involved and a special thank you to Irene and Stan for organising the
many weekends which I have been unable to attend this year. Bookings have been quite weak
through the year. I have listed those groups using the cottage below
Combat Stress (several visits)
Danny Abraham's Group
16th Northampton Scouts
35th Derby Scouts
Aidan Black's Group
Chris Edwards (private booking)
Jo Heron
Leigh Skelton
Mike Boyle
Linda Spence (private booking)
Jamie Davis (private booking)
Loughborough Foyer
Gray Family
Andy Prior
Karlos Gordobil
Lisa Appleby
Emerson Franklin
Roy and Gill Bennington
Happy New Year
Dave Cordon
Our Back Dane experience
We wanted to thank you for allowing us to use Back Dane. It was lovely not to have any mobile,
internet, ipad for 2 days! Even our girls admitted this was better. They've had great fun on the
swings and loved their adventure to the river where they found a dead owl a couple of hours before
leaving on Sunday. We found lots of mushrooms , even edible ones. We all had a brilliant time on
Saturday night around the campfire and the weather really made it all perfect. Our Liverpudlian
friends are not too used to the countryside and their kids will definitely remember this weekend. One
of them was crying at the end because she did not want to leave. We would definitely love to come
back. Do you actually have a calendar to make further bookings ?
We are sending you the payment and the keys tomorrow. Thanks again.
Best regards
Karlos and Anne-Lise
I m p rov em en t s to B ac k Dan e C ot ta ge
Room
Completed Tasks
Kitchen
Box in kitchen sink and make shelves/cupboards underneath.
Replace missing cover over wiring/pipes high up to the left of the cookers.
Gap between side of draining board and wall filled - end put on cupboard.
Wedge-shaped gap between bottom step and wall filled in.
Dining
Room
Replaced all curtains.
Notice board featuring some of the local wild life installed.
Front
Room
Clean support beam at back of room.
Large brown sofa replaced.
Replaced carpet.
Replaced all curtains.
Replaced corner shelving with a two-door cupboard and drawers.
Replaced old local area OS map of with latest version centred on Back Dane.
Hallway
Notice Board for contact and emergency information installed.
Contact and emergency information supplied for new notice board.
Removed the large trunk and replaced with shelves (use as boot rack, etc).
Wall area around bathroom doors rendered and painted.
Bathroom
#1
Corner shelf added.
External switch for light – to act in parallel with existing limit switch.
Bathroom
#2
Shelf added to the left of the basin.
Installed heater in shower room.
External switch for light – to act in parallel with existing limit switch.
Tidied up the area around drain and fill in the (old curtain rail) hole above it.
Replaced damaged shower hose and head.
Walls cleaned up and repainted.
Larger mirror installed.
Small
Bedroom
Middle
Bedroom
Replaced curtains.
Front
Bedroom
Upstairs
Corridor
Replaced curtains.
[
Springing on the older bunks reinforced.
Replaced curtains.
Mirror installed by door.
Replaced curtain.
OS map from Front Room put up on internal wall.
Back Dane Buildings and Maintenance Report – Oct 2014
Current status of the buildings at Back Dane :
During this year we have been attempting to address some of the issues raised by the
committee and have made the following progress :
1. Toilet Two / Shower room : We have installed a wall mounted fan heater
which at least takes the chill off the air. It is not possible to put in anything more
powerful as our power supply will not take anything more than this. A small shelf has
been installed alongside the sink. Shower mats have been replaced. Standard light
switches have replaced the complicated timer system but we still need to get the
extractor system back into operation.
2. Toilet One : Shelving has been improved in here and it has also been painted
throughout. Light switches and extractor as per toilet 2.
3. Under sink area : This has now been boxed in to provide more cupboard
space in the kitchen.
4. Leaking roof of outbuiildings : Front side of roof has been stripped down,
felted and tiled. Just the back to do probably next year when the weather is more
favourable.
5. Hallway : The old chest in the hallway has been removed and a new shelving
unit made under the phone which frees up more space in this area. Coat hooks have
been moved and replaced where necessary. A new notice board has been installed
with improved contact information
6. Outside area : Using a selective weed killer recommended by a neighbor we
have managed to reduce the number of nettles and thistles to virtually Nil. The weed
killer is animal and human safe.
7. Bedrooms : Some of the weakest beds have been improved by welding new
springs onto the frames. There are still some of these to finish.
Issues which need to be resolved as soon as possible :
1. The back up emergency lights need overhauling as the batteries have been in use
for many years. (Repeated from last report)
2. The card meter for the electricity takes cards which are no longer available so a
replacement needs to be found and installed. This will need a qualified electrician.
(Repeated from last report)
3. The complexity of the wiring and plumbing in general and especially in the barns
needs to be assessed and simplified to allow future volunteers to be able to address
problems. – Partially done but there is a long way to go yet
Points for consideration
1. Development plans for the barns / rest of cottage
2. Ways of trying to boost bookings
Bookings Summary
Back Dane was/will be in use for 140 nights during 2014 (including current bookings
for the rest of the year) as compared to 161 nights during 2013 and 190 in 2012
We have about 20 nights booked so far in 2015 which is above average for this time
of year so the downward trend may be on the way out. I am attempting to contact
users who have not been recently to find out why and maybe encourage them back. I
hope to report my findings at the meeting.
The Beasley Trust - Commercial Project
Stage 1- Improving the look of Back Dane
Further incremental improvement work has been taking place which is helping
improve the look of Back Dane. A more in depth review is needed given the
expectations of accommodation.
Stage 2 - Acquire Sponsors
Little input was provided regarding potential sponsors, however there remain around
5 possible sponsors to engage. I was advised earlier in the year that matters may
change to adjust the scale and urgency. Introduction of sponsors will need to be
carefully considered given the state of the interior of Back Dane, a rethink is needed.
Customer Satisfaction was asked to hold off until we knew more about the track. I
think we now need to proceed with the customer satisfaction checks to help gather
user opinion.
Stage 3 - Gaining Access to Back Dane
A set of pictures were taken and work by other trustees to quality what needs to be
done, ownership etc. The news of the legacy means we can proceed once we have an
all track owner agreement. This is key to helping access.
Stage 4 - Developing Back Dane
I think we now need a proper sub committee on this subject. The initial corporate
discussions and looking at who may go versus the look of the interior of Back Dane
needs customer feedback, comparisons of other providers and a plan for development
of Back Dane now we have the legacy as a major gift.
In Summary:
The more I have considered the sponsorship and the dwindling bookings of weekends,
the more I believe we have a more fundamental issue. With the gift of the legacy from
Dave Robinson we have a superb opportunity for opening a new chapter on Back
Dane and I believe we need to understand the expectations of users, re-check our
charity aims and create a plan that can secure use of the facility so that any legacy
used can over time be topped up by users and corporate sponsorship so we create a
more active Back Dane and more revenue to sustain a secured future
Paul Wilson
Trustee - Commercial Sub-Committee
Back Dane Environmental Report 2014
Woodland
Our trees continue to do well with only one incident of significant vandalism this year. A long,
wet winter and early spring saturating the ground and water table, followed by some prolonged
warm weather helped continue the previous year’s substantial growth. Some parts of the
woodland are still difficult to get around in because of low tree branches. However, because
some of these branches are now in almost continuous shade, they, especially on our birch trees,
are beginning to die off. A heavy snowfall in December caused many smaller branches to break
off, easing movement between those trees. These branches have been left where they fell, as
food and shelter for the many insect species that will, in turn, become food for some of the many
small birds that now regularly inhabit our woodland.
Blackthorn is still a nuisance; although some has been uprooted most working weekends, it is
still spreading, albeit at a slower rate. We probably need a weekend devoted solely to reducing
this pest. Young trees of ash and wild cherry are also appearing and even an occasional oak. As
our oak trees are still too young to produce more than an occasional immature acorn, these are
most likely the offspring of some of the long-established oaks on and around our land.
Some necessary thinning out was undertaken at the end of the year – mainly along the front of
the woodland to tidy up the frontage. Some of the smaller trees were clearly being badly affected
by their larger neighbours keeping them in perpetual shade. These were removed before they
died off.
Early in the spring we put up a couple of bird boxes and a bat box. However, this proved to
be a little late as many birds start looking for nesting sites in January and early February. Possibly
because of this they were not used. Hopefully they will be occupied this year.
As a result of transplanting bluebells to the upper part of our woodland, bluebells are now
spread through out it, albeit still somewhat patchily. They had already colonized the lower slopes
unaided by us. Because the area is fenced off, many other species of flower are also able to thrive
unbrowsed by local herbivores. As well as the ubiquitous thistles, nettles and bramble, there are
also Harebell, Wood Sorrel, Wood Anemone, Lesser Celandine, Buttercup, Sneezewort, Tormetil,
Birdsfoot Trefoil, Purple Vetch and Knapweed. The latter being particularly attractive to several
of the butterfly species that now inhabit this woodland.
When we took over Back Dane, it had few trees growing on it – it was, after all, a former 75acre farm where trees, other than along boundaries, were unwanted. In the years following its
abandonment as a farm, a few trees established themselves and, now some 55 years since it was
last farmed, many of them have survived to become mature trees. Since originally taking over the
running of Back Dane, we have planted many more; most noticeably 1,200 in 1999. The
following is a list of all the tree species that we now have growing at Back Dane:
Fagaceae
Betulaceae
Beech
(Fagus sylvatica)
Alder
(Alnus glutinosa)
Sessile Oak
(Quercus petraea)
Silver Birch
(Betula pendua)
English Oak
(Quercus robur)
Downy Birch
(Betula pubescens)
Rosaceae
Corylaceae
Hawthorn
(Crataegus monogyna)
Hazel
(Corylus avellana)
Crab Apple
(Malus sylvestris)
Sapindaceae
Wild Cherry
(Prunus avium)
Sycamore
(Acer pseudoplatanus)
Blackthorn
(Prunus spinosa)
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Rowan\Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia)
Aquifoliaceae
Oleaceae
Holly
(Ilex aquifolium)
European Ash
(Fraxinus excelsior)
The River
In 2010, Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), a highly invasive weed, was added to Schedule 9
of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in England and Wales. This now makes it an offence to
“plant or otherwise cause [it] to grow in the wild.” Prosecution in a Magistrates Court carries a
maximum penalty of a £5,000 fine and/or up to 6 months residence in one of Her Majesty’s
guesthouses. In a Crown Court, the fine is unlimited and Her Majesty extends her hospitality for
up to two years. Fortunately none has ever been found on our short section of the riverbank.
However, in both 2011 and 2012, half-a-dozen or so plants were found (and uprooted) just
downriver from us, near where the annual Wincle Trout Run crosses the Dane. A couple of
plants were also found a short distance upriver in 2012. None were found in 2013, which is the
year the Peak Park got involved through its Dane Valley Woodland Project. Last year, several
plants were found and removed in both the up and downriver locations. It is thought that this
infestation originates from a garden in the village of Flash.
There was a particularly bad infestation at the old watermill in Gradbach. YHA had obviously
ignored their responsibility when they owned it – the new owners have committed to eradicating
it. There were lesser infestations in places between Gradbach and Flash. A very bad outbreak
also occurred along the Hog Clough (which flows into the Dane on the Cheshire side just before
Danebridge). The Conservation Volunteers spent four days removing it, in addition to two days
spent by Peak Park staff. The source for this appears to be a verge on the A54 CongletonBuxton road. A result of some careless tipping: probably by the local Council.
Himalayan Balsam (also known as Policeman’s Helmet) is a very pretty annual that can exceed
two metres in height. It likes damp conditions, so is found mainly on the banks of watercourses
and lakes. The flowers appear between June and October and range in colour from pink to
purple on reddish stems. These flowers subsequently produce seedpods 20 to 30 millimetres long
and up to 15 millimetres wide. Each capsule can contain up to sixteen seeds which, when mature,
explodes spreading its seeds for up to 10 metres from the plant. A single plant can produce up to
4,000 seeds! It has a very sweet nectar content that attracts pollinators to its flowers in preference
to those of other plants, thereby reducing the genetic diversity of native species. Its habit of
forming tall, dense clumps, shadows out native plants, further reducing competition from local
species. These dense clumps have on many river and stream banks severely restricted access to
water for both humans and livestock. It is very shallow rooted, which makes it very easy to
uproot (one of the main controls for its eradication). However, it is this shallow-root system that
makes it a particular menace. Having killed off most of the competition, when it dies off in the
autumn, there is little to bind the soil in place
leaving riverbanks highly susceptible to
erosion from winter rains. Large sections of
banks can, and do, fall into the water. The
sheer volume of its long stems falling into
small watercourses can chock them
sufficiently to cause flooding.
It is native to the western Himalayas and
was introduced into Britain in 1839 at Kew
Gardens from where it soon escaped. Its
natural rapid expansion was greatly aided by
people, who were attracted to such a pretty
plant, collecting its seeds and sending them to
their friends exhorting them to plant them.
As a result it is now regarded as a serious pest
throughout Europe and North America.
David Moseley
Website Development
Progress is being made in the development of the new Beasley Back Dane website and we hope to
publish it in the next few months. Our aim is that the new website will contribute towards raising
awareness of the varied work we as an organisation carry out, increasing both the number of
volunteers we can attract as well as new and different users of Back Dane. The website includes
information on Back Dane, the Tuesday Club, a photo gallery and a tribute section to Dave Robinson.
The future projects and plans section is to be updated pending developments...
The contributions and assistance of Dave E has helped speed up the development process and has
been much appreciated! Any further contributions would be welcomed, as there is a need for both
words and pictures to fully represent the variety of activities carried out (Tuesday Club, Children's
Weekends, Improvement Weekends, etc). If anybody would like to add a tribute, for example any
memories or photographs for the Dave Robinson tribute section, please get in touch.
Please send any contributions to kweku247@yahoo.co.uk
Jamie Davis
Back Dane Project
Beasley Back Dane co. No. 4323497
Registered Charity No. 1089834
www.backdane.co.uk
September 2012
Information for visitors to Back Dane
BACK DANE COTTAGE on the Staffordshire side of the River Dane is available to groups taking children from inner
city areas to enjoy the uncrowded west side of the Peak District National Park. Other groups are welcome.
FACILITIES – simple, self-catering accommodation for 21 people.
Bedrooms : 21 bunk beds spread over three rooms, two rooms with 8 beds each and one with 5 beds. Pillows are provided
and groups should bring their own sleeping bags. Rooms are heated by electric radiators. Smoke detectors are provided
upstairs and these should under no circumstances be tampered with. If you discover a fault on one of the detectors
please report it to Dave Cordon.
Dining Room : With two large dining tables, one set up permanently and one stowed away for when things get busy.
Heating is via a storage heater.
Sitting Room : Informal area with sofas and books. This room is also heated by the storage system. The electricity card
meter is situated in the cupboard in this room.
Kitchen : With 2 electric cookers, 2 fridges, freezer, kettles, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans.
Toilets and Shower : There are two toilets at Back Dane. One toilet room also contains a shower.
Payphone : There is a payphone in the entrance hall which also accepts incoming calls on 01260 227612
VISITORS SHOULD BRING Boots or wellies for outside and some clean footwear for inside especially for upstairs to
keep the amount of dirt getting into the cottage to a minimum.
CHARGES
Per person 16 years and over £7.50 per night
Per person under 16 years £5.00 per night
Charges are set as low as is possible to allow groups in greatest need to come.
improvements will be gratefully received.
Any donations for additional
BOOKINGS
If you want to check availability of or book Back Dane for your group please contact Dave Cordon on 0115 8493946 or
email backdane@gmail.com. We can send out a booking form in the post or via email and bookings must be confirmed with
a deposit of £20 for weekends or £40 for longer to secure a place. On confirmation a key and electricity cards will be
sent to you. Shortly after your visit the payment form must be returned with payment, key and unused electricity cards.
Receipts will be issued for all payments. Electricity cards are priced at £5 each.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES
If arriving on a Friday or Sunday the changeover time is 4pm. On any other day it is noon. If you wish to make special
arrangements please ask and we will endeavour to make this possible.
MAIN POINTS FOR GROUP LEADERS TO CONSIDER
Please bring your own washing up liquid, tea towels, spare can opener (as these seem to go missing), and toilet paper.
Paper and pens, there is a visitors book and we often get people tearing pages out. The water supply at Back Dane is from
a spring-fed well and is passed through a treatment system, which is checked at required intervals by the environmental
health agency. If there is a fault in the system, a light will appear on the information board outside the toilet doors. This
usually means that the well is low due to low rainfall and consequently it is very important to conserve water by limiting
toilet flushes, showers etc. If it is not likely that the water problem is due to dry weather then contact Dave Cordon for
more help. The sewerage system is via a septic tank, which is sensitive to certain chemicals, so we ask groups not to use
strong disinfectants or bleach as this can adversely affect the systems operation. The mains electricity supply is backed
up with an emergency battery lighting system should the mains power fail. Lighting and fridges/freezers are powered
for free to groups and will not switch off when the credit runs out on the card meter.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Groups should include people sufficiently mature and able to cope with emergencies and take responsibility for care of
the cottage. Please ensure that NOTHING is hung on the storage heater as this poses a fire risk. If the phone is
not working please report it to Dave Cordon as soon as it is possible as this may be a lifeline for someone in trouble at
the cottage. There is no mobile signal at Back Dane so you must go up the hill to make a mobile call. There is also a phone
box in Danebridge, which only accepts cards. Leave the hall/stairs light on at night to prevent people from falling in the
dark. Please allow plenty of time to clean the cottage thoroughly before you depart. Do not move mattresses as this can
damage them. No graffiti please. Do not chop wood inside the cottage as this damages the floor. Guns are not allowed at
Back Dane as they are against the spirit of our organization and can also frighten the animals around the cottage. Do not
climb on the roofs or the dry stone walls (as these can collapse around the climbers with very serious consequences to
themselves). Take out insurance relevant to your needs. Beasley Back Dane does not provide insurance for personal
accident, personal property loss, third party claims or for vehicle accidents at the cottage, on the access track or
private road. Move valuables out of sight from the windows if you go out.
Please do not smoke in the cottage, especially upstairs. Burning bedding produces lethal smoke. If there is a fire use
the extinguishers and water, if possible, and get out as quickly as possible. If necessary to avoid smoke, crawl to the
window in the small end bedroom or the stairs to get out. The window can be fully opened by pushing on the side catches.
RUBBISH
There is no refuse collection from Back Dane so plan beforehand for this. All rubbish must be taken away with you. You
may save paper and cardboard rubbish and burn it outside in the fire circle. Local refuse and recycling centres are listed
on the Back Dane notice board and at www.backdane.co.uk
ACCESS AND PARKING
Access to Back Dane is via a private track, which is shared with other local residents. Drive at modest speeds and watch
out for farm animals (be particularly vigilant of calves and lambs as, when alarmed, they run straight to their mothers,
often right across the track). Please be especially careful when passing the two houses on the private road as there are
pets wandering around. Vehicles must NEVER be parked on the tracks. Farm vehicles and other residents use these
tracks at all times. In cold weather you must stop before the steepest part of the track after the second cattle grid
and check ahead for ice on the road as this may cause a serious accident.
LOCAL PLACES OF INTEREST
Hanging Stone with views across the Cheshire plain. Castlecliff Rocks and Lud’s Church which is a deep ravine in the
rocks. Gradbach Mill (Youth Hostel). The Roaches escarpment. Shuttlinsloe, which is the pointed hill visible over the
river from Back Dane. Danebridge fisheries for fishing and buying trout. Blaze Farm on the A54 at Allgreave, which has
a café, a nature trail and sells home made ice creams. The Ship Inn, which does meals. The Brindley Watermill in Leek.
Tittesworth Reservoir and Visitor Centre. Rudyard Lake for narrow gauge railway, boating and café.
Children’s weekends
Due to family commitments, a house move and car problems we had to sadly
cancel a few of the children’s weekends but still managed some.
We did a day three day children’s weekend in July. The weather was great,
we stopped at Ashbourne Park on the way to Back Dane for a picnic and a
play in the splash pad. Then, after getting all dried off, we headed off to Back
Dane for -- another paddle.
The following day the older children walked to the Ice cream farm, whilst the
younger ones did activities at Back Dane, then went by car to meet up at
Blaze farm.
After many goes on the slide, a picnic, many more goes on the slide, an ice
cream and more goes on the slide, the older ones set off walking back to
Back Dane, via Gradbach, and the younger ones by car. The walk was a great
hit with the children and was talked about all evening, during evening meal,
during the games and Bingo and well into the night.
The next day, after a hearty Breakfast and speedy cleaning up, we all set off
early - as Chris had invited us all to have lunch at Kids Camp and to see the
Animal Man. The Animal Man was amazing and the lunch yummy. Thanks
Chris we all really enjoyed it. It was a late return to Derby with cars full of
weary but happy children.
Our Christmas weekend at the beginning of December was cold but great
fun.
We arrived at Back Dane in the morning, then, after lunch walked to Luds
Church. It was a cold but lovely walk. There was time for games and
Christmas activities before the evening meal.
In the evening we were kept well entertained by the childrens talent show
though I don’t think I could take another rendition of Do they Know it's
Christmas.
Of course no evening at Back Dane would be complete without Bingo and
Drinking Chocolate.
On Sunday, after our huge Breakfast, we went to Pooles Cavern to see
Santa. Santa was brilliant and he produced, from his sack, presents for all
the children with their names on!! Thank you Santa.
When we came out it was snowing. It was magical. We ate our picnic lunch in
a room at Poole’s cavern with tables, chairs and radiators! Luxury and so
welcome in the cold, then, as it was too wet and cold for the park we all
came back to my house for a drink, and to polish off the Christmas Quality
Streets.
As always Back Dane was wonderful. The children all had a great time as too
did the helpers. Thank you to all who make the children’s weekends possible.
In 2015 we hope to run a few more Children’s weekends, especially looking
forward to when the track is done!
Linda Spence
Tuesday Club
2014 was a quiet year for Tuesday club, albeit saddened by the death of Dave
Robinson, who many knew, not just from their visits to Back Dane, but from when,
for many years, he used to help to take folks home after club. Several club members
went to the funeral and later in the year to the memorial barbecue at Back Dane.
The year began with the traditional visit to the traditional pantomime performed by
the Watson Players at the Guildhall. The year continued with the principle Tuesday
Club activities of bingo evenings and the birthday parties with the obligatory pass the
parcel, interspersed by the occasional .disco evening. The exception being on a fine
July evening, by going and sitting out at the pub.
There were the two seaside trips to Skegness in July and Mablethorpe at the end of
August. Our trips are constrained by cost (the seaside is free) and the travelling time
(max 3 hours including rest stop). On each occasion we took a near full 53 seater
coach of people. Again we were fortunate with the weather each time. When we sat
and had our ice creams and cups of tea, we were conscious that Bernard was no
longer with us. In 2015 we might see if Bridlington is within the required travelling
time, but we will go to Skegness again, not just because most of our folks enjoy it
there, but also because the mother of one of our members lives there and its one of the
few opportunities they get to see each other.
The numbers attending the club are slightly down on their peak of a couple of years
ago, but are still in the mid-twenties each week. We’ve gained two or three new
members and a few have moved on. Some have moved from supervised sharing of a
house to independent living, but are not confident enough to catch the bus to the club
and cannot afford taxi fares, so we just see them on the outings.
Out thanks to St Augustine’s for accommodating us for about 25 years.
Thanks too to the people who help each week. George still making the tea and
washing up; Tony calling the bingo and supervising the pass the parcel; and Mick
clearing up at the end of the evening.
Dave Evans
Treasurer’’s Report
There were two significant ways in which our financial situation changed in the last year. The first
was the bequest left by David Robinson. This has simply transformed our position opening up
some really exciting and challenging prospects.
The other significant change followed from the transfer of the ownership of Back Dane, a process
that required expenditure in respect of legal fees.
Apart, then, from some initial, yet substantial, expenditure on improving access to Back Dane, this
last year has seen an underlying continuation of the trends of recent years.
Rick Davis,
Treasurer.
Investments
The investments are in seventeen different funds. They are principally those that David Robinson
had and, as far as possible, have been directly transferred to Beasley Back Dane without the
expenses of encashing and re-investing. The investment sub-committee will look at these carefully
in particular with reference to their returns, commission rates, risk and ethical application. These
investments were made through Sherwin Financial as the local adviser with the financial institution
Fidelity. The transfers were made around the beginning of October (see the respective initial
valuations). It can be seen that although there is variation in their rates of return over those three
months, the average return is approx 7.5% pa. So on current performance, an annual return in
excess of £20,000 can be expected.
Beasley Back Dane 2014 Accounts
Balance Dec 2013
Deposit Account
Current Account
15,949.94
361.24
___________
16,311.18
Total
Income less expenditure 2014
600,222.89
16,311.18
Balance Dec 2014
Deposit Account
Current Account
Investments
200,259.90
2,758.93
414,611.07 (see separate sheet)
___________
617,629.90
Total
2014
2013
Income
Subscriptions and
donations (general)
Bequest
Back Dane
Telephone
Bookings
Misc.
Tuesday Club
Member subs
Outings contribution
Hognaston Xmas Card
Interest
Total
910.00
607,023.00
3,204.77
46.44
3,648.50
53.50
3,376.05
120.00
275.00
885.00
600.00
1,650.00
420.00
8.05
___________
9,432.37
7,691.20
___________
620,479.14
Expenditure
Child Outings/Minibus hire
Insurance
Bank/business charge
Legal advice
Back Dane
Telephone
Electricity
Rates + Water
Maintenance
Track repairs
Tuesday Club
Coach Hire
Admission
St Augustine's hire
Total
Income less expenditure
Rick Davies, Treasurer, 16 January 2015
696.99
1,378.07
4,843.87
869.79
1,301.80
23.88
180.00
226.03
1,336.64
1,246.20
1,198.45
7,300.00
222.35
1,123.28
153.08
852.34
3,600.00
960.00
1,530.00
182.50
1,020.00
___________
11,059.02
1,070.00
___________
20,256.25
600222.89
(1626.65)
Asset Allocation - Beasley Back Dane
Sherwin Financial Services Limited
Portfolio Status as at:
Portfolio Status as at:
Original Investment
December 31 2014
Start Date
Value
% of Portfolio
Value
Portfolio Summary
% of Portfolio
Net Gain
Fidelity OEIC - BEAA106724
Invesco Perpetual Monthly Income Plus
02/10/2014
£31,300
7.69%
£31,742.91
7.66%
£442.63
1.41%
Newton Real Return
26/09/2014
£34,933
8.58%
£35,141.69
8.48%
£208.41
0.60%
Artemis Income R Acc
01/10/2014
£34,777
8.54%
£34,838.53
8.40%
£61.30
0.18%
First State Asia Pacific Leaders B Acc
01/10/2014
£25,741
6.32%
£27,039.83
6.52%
£1,298.96
5.05%
Neptune European Opportunities C Acc
01/10/2014
£22,888
5.62%
£21,392.03
5.16%
-£1,495.82
-6.54%
Invesco Perpetual Distribution Y Acc
26/09/2014
£22,926
5.63%
£23,173.85
5.59%
£248.25
1.08%
SL Inv Global Absolute Return Strategies
30/09/2014
£34,808
8.55%
£35,214.39
8.49%
£406.65
1.17%
Artemis UK Special Situations I Acc
26/09/2014
£12,648
3.11%
£12,405.90
2.99%
-£242.27
-1.92%
Neptune Balanced C Acc
26/09/2014
£20,153
4.95%
£20,527.84
4.95%
£374.79
1.86%
M&G Recovery I Acc
26/09/2014
£16,297
4.00%
£15,801.61
3.81%
-£495.02
-3.04%
Fidelity American
25/09/2014
£39,701
9.75%
£42,831.60
10.33%
£3,131.08
7.89%
Fidelity Global Property A Acc
25/09/2014
£8,388
2.06%
£9,545.60
2.30%
£1,157.63
13.80%
Fidelity South East Asia
25/09/2014
£9,216
2.26%
£9,635.82
2.32%
£419.82
4.56%
Threadneedle European Select
29/09/2014
£17,984
4.42%
£18,982.10
4.58%
£998.38
5.55%
M&G Global Basics
26/09/2014
£18,932
4.65%
£19,256.47
4.64%
£324.85
1.72%
Invesco Perpetual Income
26/09/2014
£43,475
10.68%
£44,679.17
10.78%
£1,204.52
2.77%
Lazard Emerging Markets Inst I Acc
26/09/2014
£12,858
3.16%
£12,401.73
2.99%
-£456.53
-3.55%
£407,023
100%
£414,611.07
100%
7,587.63
1.86%
Total Portfolio Value
Sherwin Insurance Services Ltd. Registered Office: Curzon House 3 Bramble Street Derby DE1 1HU
** PLEASE NOTE :
The above values do not include any early penalties or market value adjustment amounts that could be incurred upon surrender.
Funeral tribute by John Anfield
DAVID ROBINSON
I am John Anfield, a cousin of David’s on his Mother’s side-and note that being family he was always
my cousin David rather than Dave as everyone else knew him. He was christened Peter David which
has sometimes caused confusion.
I am speaking about David’s family background , whilst John Foxcroft is speaking about David’s role
at Back Dane.
David was born on 16 June 1939 in York. David’s Mother was Hilda. She was the youngest of three
sisters, Elsie, Florence and Hilda, and my mother was Florence. Their surname was Precious, and
their father was a small jobbing builder in the Heworth area of York.
David’s father was Percy Robinson. Like his father, Percy was employed by the York based railway
company LNER as a draughtsman, and after the war by British Railways. It is good to have David’s
cousins Helen and Celia and other family members with us today, including Rev. Roger Dunlop.
Roger is a Methodist minister from North London and we are really grateful to have the family
connection.
David was born about 10 weeks before the outbreak of the Second World War. His father Percy was
in the Royal Engineers for the whole of the War. I think he was in North Africa and the Italian
campaign, but he was always reticent about digging out his war memories. He came back from the
war safely, but said he never again wished to travel abroad-and never did. I believe the only time
that David’s Mother went abroad was after David had been working on part of the electrics of the
Eurostar trains. He took her to Paris for the day -from York!
David was 3 years older than me and we played a lot together. However there was a famous 6 week
period when we were banned from playing together-who did throw the first wooden brick will never
be known! David’s father had an allotment in part of our garden. I had an elder sister Judy who
sadly died 9 years ago, and my younger brother Philip has flown from Toulouse in France to be with
us today.
David passed his 11 plus and went to Nunthorpe Grammar school. He was always very inventive. I
remember the grandpa trap!-Grandpa Precious lived monthly at our respective houses. You will not
be surprised if I tell you that David’s bedroom was never tidy! So as to prevent Grandpa walking in
and damaging things, David set up an alarm system which went off when there was any
unauthorised entry to his bedroom. He also erected an amazing overhead railway system that went
from his bedroom window to the clothes post at the end of the garden and back again.
When David was 15 there was a major change in his life. Elsie, the elder maternal sister was already
widowed, and she was admitted to a Mental Home in Epsom, Surrey where they lived. Her daughter
Pam, our cousin, immediately came to York and moved into the spare bedroom at David’s house.
This had a huge impact upon the wider family. David was an only child, and I think the experience of
living with a strong willed female cousin was good for him! As cousins we spent a lot of happy time
together. Sadly Pam died several years ago.
David and I did a lot together in York. We went for cycle rides. We were both musical and played
piano duets. We had musical evenings at our respected houses with an ‘orchestra’ in our lounges. A
few days ago I discovered David’s cello on top of a wardrobe in his house!
David went to Sheffield University and graduated in electrical engineering. His university friend
Steve Balcombe is with us today. David worked for some years in Trafford Park, Manchester for AEI,
then for BR Research in Derby where he worked until he took early retirement. He bought a new
house in Derby . His Mother was very house proud and always worked very hard cleaning and tidying
up on her frequent visits. It only took David a few days to get the house back to normal! David’s
father Percy died in 1993, and his Mother in 1998.
My wife Sue, and our son and daughter moved to Buxton in 1978 when I got a job with the Peak
District National Park . We had already heard a great deal about Backdane and very quickly made a
visit to the Dane Valley.
We saw quite a lot of David in Buxton-he would come to see us linked to his time in Back Dane.
I have tried to give a picture of David as my cousin. He had a strong stable Methodist northern
background. He was a gentle quite shy person, never happier than when on some practical project
for others. He enjoyed his work, but his first love was Back Dane.
David’s illness has been long and very sad to observe. He has had wonderful support from his
friends, particularly friends from Back Dane. I want to thank Dave and Tina Evans who have always
been on call I thank his very long standing friend Joan Hill who often sat with him over the last
months. I also want to thank Treetops Hospice for their support , and donations for Treetops will be
gratefully received.
I thank Littleover Methodist Church for letting us use their beautiful church for this service. David
made it clear that he wanted a church funeral. I also thank Rev. Roger Dunlop for taking the service.
Most of all I want to thank Mick Jones for caring for David in his final years. David and Mick were
friends through Back Dane. As David became less able Mick gave more and more of his time to
David. Most of you will know that for the last three years Mick has given David 24/7 care. He has
without doubt extended David’s life. Mick wanted to keep David at home to the end and this
happened. He fed and looked after all David’s needs . The last few months have been a little lonely
as David could not respond to Mick’s jokes! Mick: we all thank you for what you have done for
David. We know it is going to be a huge change getting your own life back-but I think there may
already be a list of jobs at Back Dane with your name on them!
Finally thank you all for coming. It is a fitting tribute to David that so many have come to give him a
good sendoff.
Funeral tribute by John Foxcroft
David—Back Dane—Robinson
----The two are inseparable.
David came to Derby 44 years ago in 1969 to pursue his career with British Rail Research.
He quickly embarked on a second “voluntary” career with Derby IVS and Back Dane.
He retired from British Rail in 1995 after 26 years service, but he never retired from service
to Back Dane until he was unable to continue due to illness just a few years ago, some 40
years of devotion and dedication.
Back Dane was first rented and managed by the scouts for charitable purposes in the late
1960’s. The management was taken over by Derby IVS in 1974.
Tragically it was burnt down in 1976, and there the story would have ended had not Derby
IVS purchased it at auction in 1977. David and I were at the auction.
It was rebuilt by volunteers and back in use by 1980.
It had its first flush of a toilet in 1983.
And mains electricity 1984.
Since then it has had over 10,000 visitors.
Throughout, and until his recent illness, David Robinson was the “volunteer manager” of this
incredible project.
What is so special about Back Dane and those involved with Beasley Back Dane?
I would like to read you a quote from an article written in 1985 by Phillip Whitehead, then
MP for Derby North:
“Ever since I was first introduced to the pleasures of Back Dane I’ve felt a stirring admiration
for all those who make it possible, and do so much to bring a more fulfilled life to young and
old alike in Derby and its district.”-----“Many who do not have the opportunity would like it
to be said on their behalf how much Derby IVS has helped them already. And I’m sure that
the next twenty years will build on this present achievement”.
That was nearly 30 years ago.
I would also like to quote from a more recent article by Leigh Skelton of Combat Stress
written for the 2012 Beasley Back Dane report:
‘It is quite difficult to put into words what the ‘Back Dane effect’ is, but I will have a go:
Firstly there is something about the cottage that makes people safe. The beauty and peace
combine with a positive sense of isolation from our hectic world to help people, particularly
those with troubled minds, to relax and feel at ease.
Secondly, because there is a group focus, the veterans are quickly reminded of how good they
are at team work and looking out for each other, this does wonders for damaged self esteem.
Finally, time from people that care and understand. Because the cottage is relatively free
from the distractions of the modern world, people in general have time to really focus on each
other and listen---‘
He continues:
“Our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for the kindness of everyone associated with the Beasley
Trust over the years in allowing us to benefit from such a magical place. In particular David
Robinson and Dave Cordon.’
I think these two quotes tell you something of why Back Dane is so special, and what an
important role David has played in this success story.
Throughout the years David made many friends from all who worked with him at Back Dane,
friends from Back Dane international workcamps, from local work weekends and from the
many groups that have visited and experienced Back Dane magic. He has travelled widely
visiting them. Many are here today and many more have sent farewell messages.
In May 2014 David was awarded the title of mayor’s community champion and the mayor,
Lisa Higginbottom visited him at his home in full regalia.
David was also awarded the Derby Civic Award 2012-2013.
Fitting tributes to a wonderful person.
Some years ago David drew up plans for the development of Back Dane but it has not been
possible to implement them due to a lack of funds. I am delighted to tell you that David has
left a legacy to the Beasley Trust, in time the details will be known. This may well present us
with an opportunity to realise David’s dream. David I am sure you will be watching over us
to make sure your dream becomes a reality.
David, our great friend, God bless you.
Funeral dedication by Rev Roger Dunlop
We have already heard two wonderful warm tributes to David. Most of us will have
known parts of his story but none of us know the whole of who he was.
David was one of 20 Robinson cousins. Apart from him and 5 others in York,
the others lived further away-Cheshire, Wiltshire, and elsewhere - so they were not
able to meet very often. And as his cousin Helen’s son, a different generation, the
opportunities to meet him were even more rare. But not as rare as you would expect
since from my perspective David was very good at keeping in touch with family
For example for a number of years there was a mini ‘Family’ reunion of Helen
and Peter, Celia, Nigel, his wife, Sarah, Pamela and her American husband, Gene, and
Judi. On one of those visits David, Gene, Peter and Nigel went for a walk along the
canal and sat down for a rest. A boater, going through the adjacent lock, looked at
these men and said, “Are you “Last of the Summer Wine?!” They were all very
amused, especially Gene, who told of the encounter to many of his friends when he
returned home to America.
And what I remember about David from the times we met was how, despite a
certain shyness, he was always so warm, welcoming and friendly in his quiet,
gracious way. and he was able to relate well to all ages. He was always pleased to
see people and to hear about family and friends.
I was the Methodist minister for nine years in Heworth and so I can say that
David taught in my Sunday School! Admittedly quite a number of years before I was
there. But it gave us additional opportunities to meet and in particular for me to visit
his mother Hilda more often. When I was preparing for Hilda’s funeral service David
spoke warmly of his early holidays as a family including time in Scarborough with the
delight of the Peasholme railway coming out of wraps after the war. Not surprising
that he should have fond memories of the railway! and he also said there had been
memorable holidays at Maurice’s hotel in Weston Supermare and at various Holiday
Fellowship and CHA guest houses at such places as Swanage, Lyme Regis and
Torquay.
We have heard of course about his passion for Back Dane.
David first went to Dane Valley when he was 3 or 4. He and his mother went to stay
with his aunt, Edna and his cousins, Helen and John, who lived in Macclesfield and
were having a holiday at Bearda Hill Farm, Swythamley, situated high above the
valley of the Dane.
Later on it was David who encouraged his family to visit the Dane. His cousin
Celia remembers an urgent phone call from David saying he had arranged for Dulux
to provide a load of free paint but that the Dulux photographer was coming to take
photos of the finished work – could she paint it that weekend?! David was clearly
difficult to refuse with his gentle yet focused and kind manner so Celia and friend
Jennifer dashed off to paint the kitchen at that very short notice!!
Celia also remembers in the early days at Back Dane, before the place had
running water, seeing David heading for the river carrying a bottle of Fairy Liquid.
When asked what he was doing he replied that he was going to wash his hair. Not
surprisingly she expressed surprise at his choice of product pointing out that Fairy
Liquid was a detergent. David replied, "and what do you suppose shampoo is?"
David was straightforward, practical, focused. He could easily have filled his
spare time with engineering related passions – developed his love of model or steam
trains for example. But his energies went into providing a lovely place for people to
discover more about themselves, and more about this beautiful world, to step outside
the daily struggle perhaps of living in a poor urban environment, to have their eyes
raised to new heights and possibilities. Or having experienced the scenic delights and
friendships of Back Dane, in the words of that wonderful passage about friendship
that Joan read – David was empowering them to go and bear fruit.
Later in John’s Gospel is another passage about friendship that reminds me of David.
Just before Jesus was taken away from his close friends he said to them,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my
Father’s house there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I
go to prepare a place for you?”
Over the years David has gained many friends, and helped countless more
people experience a deeper fullness of life. In part literally by preparing a place for
them.
The Bible struggles with the limits of human language to describe what heaven will
be like, but the place to which we entrust David today will include the hallmarks of
his beloved Back Dane in its beauty, its friendships and life of purpose.
The River Dane is the longest, cleanest and possibly fastest flowing River flowing
through Cheshire. The final chapter of the Bible contains these words:
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the
city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit,
yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
We give thanks for the healing restorative work that David did at Back Dane
and indeed through all his relationships, and we entrust him now to amazing love of
God
Beasley Back Dane
WORDS
To afford opportunities by which men and women in a spirit of friendship, international
understanding and voluntary discipline, may without regard to their race, religion, creed or
politics be encouraged and enabled to give the community, either individually or in groups,
effective voluntary service.
into ACTION
Charity Registration No. 1089834
Company No. 4323497