Say goodbye to The Ridgeway

Press release put out by YHA yesterday indicates The Ridgeway is to
close as of June 30th, 2007.

http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/pres..._ridgeway.aspx

Jacki wrote:

> Press release put out by YHA yesterday indicates The Ridgeway is to
> close as of June 30th, 2007.
>
> http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/pres..._ridgeway.aspx

Its rather an ambiguous release.
Is it to close or it is simply that the YHA will no longer be involved with it.

John B

My understanding is that the building is leased from the Trust, but
that the staff (and presumably the furniture/fixtures/fittings/bedding/
etc) is provided by the YHA. So end of lease = end of hostel.

That's not to say that the Trust could not or will not operate the
place as an independent hostel, or even as an enterprise one within
the YHA network (though don't hold your breath on that one). We'll
just have to wait and see.

(Slightly) more at http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/good-news-bad-news

On Mar 21, 11:44 am, John B <noth...@nowhere.com> wrote:

> Its rather an ambiguous release.
> Is it to close or it is simply that the YHA will no longer be involved with it.
>
It is rather ambiguous, isn't it. It did cross my mind that there may
be scope for a 'Corris' type split where it's still a hostel, just not
under the auspices of YHA. Time will tell.

In article <1174472999.980377.124230@d57g2000hsg.googlegroups .com>,
Jacki <jacki@pr-photo.net> writes
>Press release put out by YHA yesterday indicates The Ridgeway is to
>close as of June 30th, 2007.
>
>http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/pres...s/2007-press-r
>eleases/end_of_road_for_yha_at_the_ridgeway.aspx
>
Unfortunately, Ridgeway is in the wrong place. I cannot imagine why YHA
opened a hostel there in the first place. Older members may recall the
hostel at Marlborough which shut in late Sixties. Lying in bed at night
watching the car lights going across the dormitory ceiling, it was never
the loveliest of hostels. Nevertheless, it was well positioned between
Streatley and Salisbury. What we've lost is any sense of strategy in the
siting of hostels, and as long distance paths opened up everywhere, so
the hostels along them shut.

Never mind, I'm sure some folk here will appreciate the Travelodge in
Swindon.
--
Ken

On Mar 21, 11:30 am, "Jacki" <j...@pr-photo.net> wrote:
> Press release put out by YHA yesterday indicates The Ridgeway is to
> close as of June 30th, 2007.
>
> http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/pres...ases/2007-pres...

The Court Hill Trust will operate the site after 30th June. Bunkhouse
accommodation will be offered, as will camping, and we hope to
continue to offer tipis for hire! Go to www.courthill.org.uk for
more......(new website, so please bear with us...). YHA members will
of course be welcome!
Rosemary - Court Hill Trust.

Thanks for posting that, Rosemary, I've added a note to my previously
mentioned post.

On your website, I find the text a bit small, and the background is
too dark in colour - both make it pretty hard to read.

On Mar 26, 1:10 pm, "Chris Hunt" <c...@leicesteryha.org.uk> wrote:
> Thanks for posting that, Rosemary, I've added a note to my previously
> mentioned post.
>
> On your website, I find the text a bit small, and the background is
> too dark in colour - both make it pretty hard to read.

Chris, have you got a very dark screen? Unless they've changed the
background colour (light blue) since you looked at it, I have to say
it looks OK on my (bright!) screen.

Rosemary, if you happen to check back - maybe setting the background
colour to #CCCCFF (your webmaster will understand!) with a black
typeface would be more readable.

I'd agree about the font size though; not too good for the visually
challenged!

"Jacki" <jacki@pr-photo.net> wrote in message
news:1174920553.355532.302980@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com...
> On Mar 26, 1:10 pm, "Chris Hunt" <c...@leicesteryha.org.uk> wrote:
>> Thanks for posting that, Rosemary, I've added a note to my previously
>> mentioned post.
>>
>> On your website, I find the text a bit small, and the background is
>> too dark in colour - both make it pretty hard to read.
>
> Chris, have you got a very dark screen? Unless they've changed the
> background colour (light blue) since you looked at it, I have to say
> it looks OK on my (bright!) screen.
>
> Rosemary, if you happen to check back - maybe setting the background
> colour to #CCCCFF (your webmaster will understand!) with a black
> typeface would be more readable.
>
> I'd agree about the font size though; not too good for the visually
> challenged!
>

I will second/third etc the comments above. Using the same colour for text
and background is a good way to put people off, even if using different
shades. Black text or a white background would be much better.
The font is a little small too, try going for size 14 or 16. You don't have
a lot of writing and do have lots of room to use up. Spellchecking is needed
in a couple of spots too.
BTW, might drop in this summer if I decide to walk the Ridgeway!

Nick

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Nick Pedley wrote:
> "Jacki" <jacki@pr-photo.net> wrote in message
> news:1174920553.355532.302980@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com...
>> On Mar 26, 1:10 pm, "Chris Hunt" <c...@leicesteryha.org.uk> wrote:
>>> Thanks for posting that, Rosemary, I've added a note to my previously
>>> mentioned post.
>>>
>>> On your website, I find the text a bit small, and the background is
>>> too dark in colour - both make it pretty hard to read.
>> Chris, have you got a very dark screen? Unless they've changed the
>> background colour (light blue) since you looked at it, I have to say
>> it looks OK on my (bright!) screen.
>>
>> Rosemary, if you happen to check back - maybe setting the background
>> colour to #CCCCFF (your webmaster will understand!) with a black
>> typeface would be more readable.
>>
>> I'd agree about the font size though; not too good for the visually
>> challenged!
>>
>
> I will second/third etc the comments above. Using the same colour for text
> and background is a good way to put people off, even if using different
> shades. Black text or a white background would be much better.
> The font is a little small too, try going for size 14 or 16.

Or even better, don't specify a font size at all. There is no need, and
it is much easier for people to use the site if they get their own
choice of font size.

The site seems to be made with Microsoft FrontPage, which has a tendency
to produce a lot of crud which can be safely deleted to improve the
customer experience.

e.g.
=================
<head>
<meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 5.0">
<meta name="ProgId" content="FrontPage.Editor.Document">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=windows-1252">
<title>New Page 1</title>
</head>

<body stylesrc="index.htm" bgcolor="#6699FF">

The
Bunkhouse

The
largest and most impressive of the barns is home to a comfortable, popular
bunkhouse. Offering accommodation to families, groups and individuals, a
popular year round destination.
Formerly YHA The Ridgeway, accommodation is provided independently by
The Cpourt
Hill Centre from 01-07-07.

 <a href="2005_1202Image0029_WEB.jpg"><img
border="2" src="2005_1202Image0029_WEB_small.jpg"
xthumbnail-orig-image="2005_1202Image0029_WEB.jpg" width="100"
height="74"></a>

=================
Could become
=================
<html>
<head>
<title>Court Hill Centre Bunkhouse</title>
[link to a stylesheet to make life easier]
</head>

<body>
<h1>The Bunkhouse</h1>
The largest and most impressive of the barns is home to a
comfortable, popular bunkhouse. Offering accommodation to families,
groups and individuals, a popular year round destination. Formerly YHA
The Ridgeway, accommodation is provided independently by The Court Hill
Centre from 1 July 2007.

<a href="2005_1202Image0029_WEB.jpg"><img
src="2005_1202Image0029_WEB_small.jpg" width="100" height="74"></a>
=================

Easier to use, easier to maintain, faster to load, and easier to find.

--
Arthur
just back from Hamburg and Luebeck Youth Hostels - having reserved beds
online.

	#1
Jacki	Say goodbye to The Ridgeway Press release put out by YHA yesterday indicates The Ridgeway is to close as of June 30th, 2007. http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/pres..._ridgeway.aspx

	#2
John B	Re: Say goodbye to The Ridgeway Jacki wrote: > Press release put out by YHA yesterday indicates The Ridgeway is to > close as of June 30th, 2007. > > http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/pres..._ridgeway.aspx Its rather an ambiguous release. Is it to close or it is simply that the YHA will no longer be involved with it. John B

	#3
Chris Hunt	Re: Say goodbye to The Ridgeway My understanding is that the building is leased from the Trust, but that the staff (and presumably the furniture/fixtures/fittings/bedding/ etc) is provided by the YHA. So end of lease = end of hostel. That's not to say that the Trust could not or will not operate the place as an independent hostel, or even as an enterprise one within the YHA network (though don't hold your breath on that one). We'll just have to wait and see. (Slightly) more at http://www.yhagroup.org.uk/archives/good-news-bad-news

	#4
Jacki	Re: Say goodbye to The Ridgeway On Mar 21, 11:44 am, John B <noth...@nowhere.com> wrote: > Its rather an ambiguous release. > Is it to close or it is simply that the YHA will no longer be involved with it. > It is rather ambiguous, isn't it. It did cross my mind that there may be scope for a 'Corris' type split where it's still a hostel, just not under the auspices of YHA. Time will tell.

	#5
Ken	Re: Say goodbye to The Ridgeway In article <1174472999.980377.124230@d57g2000hsg.googlegroups .com>, Jacki <jacki@pr-photo.net> writes >Press release put out by YHA yesterday indicates The Ridgeway is to >close as of June 30th, 2007. > >http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/pres...s/2007-press-r >eleases/end_of_road_for_yha_at_the_ridgeway.aspx > Unfortunately, Ridgeway is in the wrong place. I cannot imagine why YHA opened a hostel there in the first place. Older members may recall the hostel at Marlborough which shut in late Sixties. Lying in bed at night watching the car lights going across the dormitory ceiling, it was never the loveliest of hostels. Nevertheless, it was well positioned between Streatley and Salisbury. What we've lost is any sense of strategy in the siting of hostels, and as long distance paths opened up everywhere, so the hostels along them shut. Never mind, I'm sure some folk here will appreciate the Travelodge in Swindon. -- Ken

	#6
info@courthill.org.uk	Re: Say goodbye to The Ridgeway On Mar 21, 11:30 am, "Jacki" <j...@pr-photo.net> wrote: > Press release put out by YHA yesterday indicates The Ridgeway is to > close as of June 30th, 2007. > > http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/pres...ases/2007-pres... The Court Hill Trust will operate the site after 30th June. Bunkhouse accommodation will be offered, as will camping, and we hope to continue to offer tipis for hire! Go to www.courthill.org.uk for more......(new website, so please bear with us...). YHA members will of course be welcome! Rosemary - Court Hill Trust.

	#7
Chris Hunt	Re: Say goodbye to The Ridgeway Thanks for posting that, Rosemary, I've added a note to my previously mentioned post. On your website, I find the text a bit small, and the background is too dark in colour - both make it pretty hard to read.

	#9
Nick Pedley	Re: Say goodbye to The Ridgeway "Jacki" <jacki@pr-photo.net> wrote in message news:1174920553.355532.302980@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com... > On Mar 26, 1:10 pm, "Chris Hunt" <c...@leicesteryha.org.uk> wrote: >> Thanks for posting that, Rosemary, I've added a note to my previously >> mentioned post. >> >> On your website, I find the text a bit small, and the background is >> too dark in colour - both make it pretty hard to read. > > Chris, have you got a very dark screen? Unless they've changed the > background colour (light blue) since you looked at it, I have to say > it looks OK on my (bright!) screen. > > Rosemary, if you happen to check back - maybe setting the background > colour to #CCCCFF (your webmaster will understand!) with a black > typeface would be more readable. > > I'd agree about the font size though; not too good for the visually > challenged! > I will second/third etc the comments above. Using the same colour for text and background is a good way to put people off, even if using different shades. Black text or a white background would be much better. The font is a little small too, try going for size 14 or 16. You don't have a lot of writing and do have lots of room to use up. Spellchecking is needed in a couple of spots too. BTW, might drop in this summer if I decide to walk the Ridgeway! Nick -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

	#10
Arthur Figgis	Re: Say goodbye to The Ridgeway Nick Pedley wrote: > "Jacki" <jacki@pr-photo.net> wrote in message > news:1174920553.355532.302980@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com... >> On Mar 26, 1:10 pm, "Chris Hunt" <c...@leicesteryha.org.uk> wrote: >>> Thanks for posting that, Rosemary, I've added a note to my previously >>> mentioned post. >>> >>> On your website, I find the text a bit small, and the background is >>> too dark in colour - both make it pretty hard to read. >> Chris, have you got a very dark screen? Unless they've changed the >> background colour (light blue) since you looked at it, I have to say >> it looks OK on my (bright!) screen. >> >> Rosemary, if you happen to check back - maybe setting the background >> colour to #CCCCFF (your webmaster will understand!) with a black >> typeface would be more readable. >> >> I'd agree about the font size though; not too good for the visually >> challenged! >> > > I will second/third etc the comments above. Using the same colour for text > and background is a good way to put people off, even if using different > shades. Black text or a white background would be much better. > The font is a little small too, try going for size 14 or 16. Or even better, don't specify a font size at all. There is no need, and it is much easier for people to use the site if they get their own choice of font size. The site seems to be made with Microsoft FrontPage, which has a tendency to produce a lot of crud which can be safely deleted to improve the customer experience. e.g. ================= <head> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 5.0"> <meta name="ProgId" content="FrontPage.Editor.Document"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <title>New Page 1</title> </head> <body stylesrc="index.htm" bgcolor="#6699FF"> <p align="center"><u><b><font size="6" color="#000080" face="CentSchbook BT">The Bunkhouse</font></b></u></p> <p align="center"><font face="CentSchbook BT" color="#000080" size="2">The largest and most impressive of the barns is home to a comfortable, popular bunkhouse. Offering accommodation to families, groups and individuals, a popular year round destination. Formerly YHA The Ridgeway, accommodation is provided independently by The Cpourt Hill Centre from 01-07-07.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="CentSchbook BT" color="#000080" size="2"> </font><a href="2005_1202Image0029_WEB.jpg"><img border="2" src="2005_1202Image0029_WEB_small.jpg" xthumbnail-orig-image="2005_1202Image0029_WEB.jpg" width="100" height="74"></a> ================= Could become ================= <html> <head> <title>Court Hill Centre Bunkhouse</title> [link to a stylesheet to make life easier] </head> <body> <h1>The Bunkhouse</h1> <p>The largest and most impressive of the barns is home to a comfortable, popular bunkhouse. Offering accommodation to families, groups and individuals, a popular year round destination. Formerly YHA The Ridgeway, accommodation is provided independently by The Court Hill Centre from 1 July 2007.</p> <a href="2005_1202Image0029_WEB.jpg"><img src="2005_1202Image0029_WEB_small.jpg" width="100" height="74"></a> ================= Easier to use, easier to maintain, faster to load, and easier to find. -- Arthur just back from Hamburg and Luebeck Youth Hostels - having reserved beds online.