From the early days, BEMAC members have organised a night away in the North Lakes on Remembrance Weekend.

The history of this goes back to 1988 when active founder member Tony Robinson could never be coaxed away anywhere on that particular weekend. This was because he was an ex-submariner who had lost lots of his pals in the war and he strongly felt the need to attend the ceremony at Eyemouth war memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

Alan Marsh and Graham Dolan eventually managed to talk Tony into going (reluctantly) to the Lakes on that weekend, staying at Grasmere YH, but he would only go on condition he could have a quiet few minutes on top of a mountain to plant his poppy and crosses. The plan was to do this at the summit of Blencathra on the Sunday. When the summit was reached just before 11.00am a small group of people with the same idea was already there. Tony, Alan and Graham were so moved by the quite emotional experience of having the two minutes silence on top of the mountain that they decided to do the same the following year. In 1989 they stayed at Elterwater YH and climbed Pavey Ark to plant the poppies. Ironically, Tony only went twice on these trips before he moved away to Berwick and later Kelso where he still lives.

The others decided that it seemed a lovely way to remember – surrounded by the most gorgeous scenery and often in glorious sunshine. For people who like the hills it’s so much more poignant than standing at a war memorial. As the club grew, more people joined the annual weekend away and for some reason, only two youth hostels, Patterdale and Longthwaite in Borrowdale, became the ones used and on alternate years. Only once (in 2000) was another used (Buttermere) because the other two were closed for some reason.

The trip away on Remembrance Weekend took place for many years and then fell away. A few years ago it was resurrected and has been going strong since.

On the Saturday the fitter walkers usually scale at least one mountain while the low level walkers tackle something a bit easier. Over the years, the following hills and walks have been tackled on the Saturday: The Buttermere Round, Striding Edge & Helvelyn, Sharp Edge & Blencathra, Skiddaw, Scafell Pike, Fairfield, high Street, Glaramara, Castle Crag, Cat Bells (possibly Sunday).

In recent years the 11.00 ceremony has tended not to be at the summit of a mountain but rather at some other point of note – perhaps a wee hill or a waterfall. The Sunday afternoon is often spent in Keswick gear hunting and visiting the Old Keswickian chippy for a sit in tea.  

Just out of interest, here is a list of all the people we think have attended a BEMAC Remembrance Weekend over the years – in no particular order. If you know of any more please let Alan know.

Males

Tony Robinson, Alan Marsh, Graham Dolan, Alan Methven, Rob Boyd, Jimmy McLean, John McFarlane, Duncan Bowie, Neil Rowley, John Easingwood, Ken Brodie, Grant Gillies, Stuart Griffin, John Elliot, Inness Gray, Tommy Watson, Neil Watson, John Carey, Harry Ross, Finlay Murray, Darren Courtnage, Simon Farmery.

Females

Ann Dolan, Sheena Methven, Julie McFarlane, Kristy Bowie, Hannah Bowie, Liz Rowley, Shirley Easingwood, Dana Griffin, Myra Watson, Sarah Coles, Kate Holcombe (from Bristol), Lynn Robinson (from Canada), Amanda Murray, Doreen Ross, Marijka Ter Morsche.