It is with huge gratitude and a sense of sadness, that we have accepted our long serving Hostel Manager Nick’s decision to retire in May this year.
Nick joined Elterwater Hostel in 1992, while it was still part of the YHA, moving across from the YHA in Kendal, some 5 years after first cycling up and over Red Bank from Grasmere and thinking “I could live here!”. Since then, over a period of 33 years, he estimates he’s cooked in the region of 120,000 breakfasts, worked with 40-50 staff members, had 5 bosses and met upwards of 200,000 guests. We asked Nick to reflect on his time here, and wanted to say a few words about him ourselves too.
Nick tells us that guests have included artists, scientists, engineers, authors, record breaking athletes, Everest summiteers, polar explorers, great teachers and leaders and many more fascinating people. One of the more standout memories was a Japanese guy who had spent six months riding a motorbike overland from Japan, and chose Elterwater as his last stop before turning around and starting the long journey home!
Nick has also seen us through the transition from YHA to Independent Hostel back in 2013. Nick’s experience and knowledge of Hostelling, combined with his willingness to embrace new ideas, were integral to the successful transition and establishing Elterwater Independent Hostel as a successful business in its own right. More recently his attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile have been instrumental in guiding us through the ups and downs of the pandemic and the newly built staff accommodation.
In his spare time, Nick has established himself as a stalwart and Team Leader of the local Mountain Rescue, enhancing people’s safe exploration and enjoyment of our little slice of the Lake District. Nick was awarded an MBE for his services to the Mountain Rescue in the 2023 New Years Honours list.
On a more personal level, Nick has spent a large part of his life in Elterwater. His daughter Sophie was born in 1993, shortly after Nick arrived, and was raised in Elterwater. His wife, Deb, sadly passed away in 2015, not long after Nick himself suffered a life changing leg injury in a cycling accident. The lows have been countered by many joys, including seeing Sophie graduate as a Doctor of Tropical Medicine in 2022, and meeting his partner of the last five years, Alison, with whom he will share his retirement. They have exciting plans involving travel, books, bikes and motorcycles!
We wish Nick all the best for his well earned retirement, and look forward to working with him over the next few months as we begin the difficult search for someone to step into his shoes! Nick has confirmed that he will remain available to consult on any difficult issues and will of course always be a special friend of the hostel. The end of an era indeed!
