News

                     

2024 Season 

 

We are now only a couple of weeks away from the end of our 2024 season. It seemed like a good time to reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025.

Bookings

44 overnight groups from 32 different organisations this season, around 1,000 young people.

We have 23 bookings for 2025 already. So, as ever, the earlier you can let us know of your plans the better chance you have of getting your preferred dates.

Camp Improvements

The revamp of the girls’ shower block, purchase of new picnic tables, painting of the outside of the huts/main hall and tarmacking of the lower driveway into the Camp all took place this season. The driveway work was made possible by a generous bequest from the late Roger Jones and the ‘Roger Jones Way’ was officially opened in August, with friends of Mr Jones and one of Shropshire’s Deputy Lieutenants in attendance.

Work will begin to revamp the boys’ shower block next month.

Charitable Assistance

Not all groups who wish to visit us can fund their visit themselves. As such, we made charitable donations totalling £3,200 this season, enabling several groups from disadvantaged backgrounds to enjoy the Camp. Should your group want to enquire about assistance please contact us.  

2025 Pricing

Our prices last increased for the 2023 season and have been held until now. We want as many groups as possible to be able to visit us and so we keep our prices as low as we can. However, for the 2025 season our prices will increase slightly - £17pppn for bunkhouse use and £12pppn for camping. Both include sole occupancy of the site and full use of all the facilities. Our website and bookings form have been updated to reflect the new prices.   

Volunteers

While the Camp runs smoothly our pool of volunteers is shallow, and we want to ensure that the Camp has a secure future. Volunteer duties are not onerous and can be tailored to the skills of individual volunteers. If you can help, please contact lmacenquiries@gmail.com in the first instance.  

Thanks 

Thanks to all our 2024 groups. We know you had a brilliant time at the Camp - not only did you tell us but many of you have already got your dates in for 2025, so see you then!

 

 

 

                     

2024 Successes 

 

Freemason’s Generous £30,000 Charitable Bequest


More than 20 friends and connections of the late W Bro Roger Percy George Jones gathered last Friday (9 August) at the Long Mynd Adventure Camp [LMAC], a registered children’s charity. They came together to commemorate and celebrate Roger’s most generous gift, a bequest of £30,000+ to the Camp’s infrastructure fund.


Having recently graded and sealed the Camp’s 50m access drive, the charity’s Trustees had
no hesitation in naming it Roger Jones Way. Friends and connections, including the Deputy
Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Garrison Sergeant Major A J (Vern) Stokes OBE MVO, duly
assembled for a short formal naming ceremony.


Roger, having served in both West Mercia Police Force and the Coldstream Guards, was
consequently well known to both the Camp’s late founder, ‘Skipper’ Bill Williams BEM and
the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire (2024). An enthusiastic Freemason, Roger was a
longstanding member of the Salopian Lodge of Charity No.117 based in Shrewsbury.
Oral tributes were made by friend and former neighbour Mrs Rosie Morris and the Deputy
Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire; both jointly unveiling the nameplate sign in the splendour of
glorious Salopian summer sunshine. Before the formalities, Peter Jenkins, the charity’s Chair, gave attendees a short, guided tour of the Camp outlining how some of Roger’s bequest would be applied. Kim March also outlined Roger’s personal instructions as to how his bequest was to be applied.


An enthusiastic Freemason, Roger was a longstanding member of the Salopian Lodge of
Charity No.117 based in Shrewsbury. Brethren in attendance included W Bros. Marshall Cale
(Master of the Lodge) Garry Breakwell, Bro. Wynne Evans and former Lodge members Bro.
Dave Wood and W Bro Kim March who also previously served as the Camp’s Secretary and
Fundraising Officer.


It was very clear from the heartfelt tributes rendered that Roger was an ardent supporter of
charity, particularly those focussed on the needs of young people.
Chair, Peter Jenkins said, ‘Over the last 15 years, the Freemasons of Shropshire have been
major supporters of the Camp, in terms of both their collective funding and the provision of
community service by individual members. All those connected with the Charity will be
reminded of Roger’s generosity each time they enter and leave the Camp via Roger Jones
Way.’


LMAC Trustees need to raise c. £250,000 to maintain the Camp’s infrastructure over the
current 15-year refurbishment and renewal cycle. Annually, around 1,000 young people
enjoy the delights of the Camp and its surrounds. Founded in 1957 by community policeman Bill Williams and his wife as a one week respite break for Black Country two boys, the Camp has evolved into its present form.

Enquiries to Peter Jenkins (LMAC Chair) 07837 124352
Mrs Rosie Morris and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire,
Garrison Sergeant Major A J (Vern) Stokes OBE MVO unveil the Roger Jones Way nameplate.

Peter Jenkins, LMAC Chair explains the refurbishment plans during a guided tour of the Camp’s facilities.

Mrs Rosie Morris pays a heartfelt tribute to Roger Jones handing over to the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Garrison Sergeant Major A J (Vern) Stokes OBE MVO to add his own words of respect.

Left to right: Kim March (former LMAC Secretary and Fundraising Officer) Peter Jenkins (LMAC Chair and Trustee) Mrs Rosie Morris and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, enjoying the sunshine.

2022: a record year!

When the Camp re-opened after the pandemic, we wondered whether our visitor numbers would reduce, at least for a while.  Happily, however, 2022 broke our records both in income and the number of visiting organisations. Over 1,000 young people enjoyed the Camp during the year. And this year's numbers could be just as good.

Despite pressures of time and resources on the schools and youth groups who use the Camp, they still love its traditional Camping/bunkhouse experience.  As Pam Davies, of Holyhead School, Handsworth wrote recently: “We are having a blast at the Long Mynd, but then again we always do... our kids are loving the outdoor life!   The Camp was perfect. It gave the children a taste of adventure and had everything we needed.”  (See group photo above).

Our letting income, plus donations, helps to maintain and develop our facilities, such as the planned refurbishment of the boys' and girls' regular wash blocks and the complete replacement of the disabled wash block.  That income also supports our founding objective: helping disadvantaged children to enjoy a country holiday.

Like many smaller Charities, ours depends on volunteers, so new recruits are always needed to give their time and expertise: ideally, enthusiasts with business and practical skills, such as finance, marketing/social media, HR, IT or facilities management. Volunteers can be Trustees, including officers of the Charity, or Friends, who make their contributions less formally. There are quarterly management meetings. Project work or job-sharing should be possible.

Chairman Peter Jenkins says: “I think what the Camp offers is more relevant than ever. It's really satisfying to provide a service which is so enjoyable and worthwhile to our visitors. Volunteering shouldn't take up too much of your time. So, if you'd like to contribute to our future success, please be in touch”.  Find out more in the Volunteer section of this site.

 

 

 

Get involved

The Camp receives no regular funding from public authorities.  So we depend on the generosity of volunteers and donors.  

As volunteers, we need enthusiasts with business, IT, social media or DIY skills to give their time and expertise.
As a donor, you can give a holiday to a deserving child who might otherwise go without - and help to secure the Camp’s future.

VOLUNTEER         DONATE

Testimonials

"The Camp was perfect. It gave the children a taste of adventure and had everything we needed."

"Freedom for the children - great new cabins, ability to have a campfire. Flexible site to manage in all weathers. Thank you for this great facility"

"Kids and leaders love the fact that we have a campsite to ourselves with no hassle"

“Location is ideal for DOE, isolated enough to give teams that wild feel, but facilities nearby if needed”

“We used the Camp as the overnight for a Scout Challenge Badge – Expedition and it completely provided all we could wish for and more”

“The total seclusion and peace and quiet”

“A great place, location is perfect, facilities are brilliant”

Book Now


We open from March to October and you can book for one night or more, with sole occupancy guaranteeed. It costs £17 per person/night for a bunkhouse bed, £12 for camping. Regular bunkhouses sleep 4-6 and include mattresses but not bedding.

Remember, we can provide financial assistance. Our Bill Williams funds can cover accommodation, transport and catering costs.

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LMAC HANDBOOK