A history of HF Holidays' leaders

The Lockdown project of one of HF Holidays' volunteer Walk Leaders, Chris Steel, has just come to fruition. Sparked by conversations with fellow leaders, Chris decided to research the history and development of leading for HF Holidays. Once travel restrictions were eased, he was able to make full use of HF’s fascinating archive at Malham, and has now produced a book, Leading The Way: A History of HF’s Volunteer Leaders.

The book features candid interviews with 64 leaders - the first of whom began in 1947, the most recent in 2016 – who reminisce about how things have changed over the years. There are also copious photographs and documents from HF's archive and from individuals' attics. There are also a few linking chapters written by Chris, tracing the story of leading and leaders over the decades. All this is packed into 339 entertaining, informative and enlightening ‘warts and all’ pages.

If you would like to get your hands on a copy, the book can be ordered direct from Chris at a cost of £16.50 plus postage & packaging. Just drop Chris an email expressing your interest and he will provide full details of how to purchase. Chris can be contacted at Chris_Steel12@hotmail.com.

If you want to ‘try before you buy’ - Chris is happy to email a PDF of the book to you. In his opinion, the PDF is "perfectly OK", but you can't enjoy dipping into it in the same way as a proper book! Just drop him an email to ask for it to be sent to you.

About the author: Chris Steel enjoyed his first HF holiday at the age of ten in 1974 at the short season centre near Edinburgh. He ventured on his first A Party walk two years later at Alnmouth on a viciously hot day. He began leading for HF as a student in 1984, thereby just avoiding facing a Guidelines Assessment. He has remained a member of the panel ever since, having led roughly 200 weeks in the UK to date, and hopes to lead many more. Chris served two terms on HF’s Board and was proud to sit on the editorial team of Harry Wroe’s ‘The Story of HF Holidays’. He lives in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

Please note: this book has been produced by one of HF Holidays’ volunteer walking leaders and the views represented in the book are not necessarily those of HF Holidays. The book has been written independently by Chris Steel.