High Trenhouse Garden and Grounds

High Trenhouse has emerged from winter in good shape. Some of our ash trees have been lost to ash die-back. However, as our woods were planted at high density, we have been able to thin the trees without leaving unsightly gaps. Burning the timber will keep us warm in 2022, when the wood is seasoned.

To compensate for the loss, we have underplanted. We also extended Hannah’s wood by planting additional trees beside the road. This is a joy, because it provides more cover for wildlife and more seclusion from people who pass by. We greatly enjoy our resident stoats, rabbits and hares, with visiting deer and foxes, in addition to a wonderful array of woodpeckers, tawny owls, fieldfares, pigeons and many other small birds.

Our five acres has 50% tree cover compared with the average in the Yorkshire Dales of only 4.3%, largely due to centuries of sheep farming. The UK as a whole has 13% woodland cover, compared with an EU average of 37%. Help tip the balance – sponsor more trees!

Sign up for online workshops

We are delighted to be collaborating with fellow facilitators to provide opportunities for transformative learning, related to the book, Leadership as Meaning-Making – Take the Hero’s Journey to Transformation by John Varney, published by Routledge. Following the online book launch in January, we invite you to join these low-cost or no-cost online events – book now! – spaces are limited.

Leadership as Meaning-Making
A monthly series of 3 x 2-hour events with David Bishop, Christine Sausse and John Varney
Starting Wednesday 14 April 11.00-1.00 (UK time)

The Hero’s Journey
These interactive learning events with Mike Chitty and John Varney will culminate with an optional residential workshop at High Trenhouse in the autumn.
3rd Thursday of each month, 2.00-5.00 (UK time), starting 15 April.

Dialogue
We continue our series of Dialogues every
2nd Thursday of each month, 2.00-5.00 (UK time)

LogoVisual Thinking
Series with John Varney
4th Thursday of each month, starting 27 May

To run any of these (or other) interactions in your organisation, email John Varney

Book review

English Pastoral by James Rebanks.

This important book sits beside other recent reads, which include Feral by George Manbiot, The Third Plate by Dan Barber, Rachel Carson’s classic, Silent Spring and (perhaps surprisingly) Doughnut Economics by Kate Rayworth. Each gives a perspective on the theme of humanity’s alarming relationship with our environment. Societies around the globe are caught up in a race to self-destruction – unless we can change our economics and our direction. Each of us is challenged to assume responsibility for a shift in our behaviour and, hence, we need to modify our expectations. Salvation is still (just?) within our grasp, provided we wake up and make a difference.

Welcome back!

We look forward to welcoming people to High Trenhouse once again. Being a work-related educational facility, we have a little more latitude than holiday accommodation. Whereas we normally accommodate up to 28 people, social distancing reduces this to 17 at 1 metre plus or 10 at 2 metres. Talk to us about your requirements! (sue@high-trenhouse.co.uk)

Self-catering at High Trenhouse

Enjoy staying in the deep countryside, far from the madding crowds. As of 12 April 2021, at the UK Government’s Roadmap Step 2, our wonderful Bennett’s building will be available for self-catering for household groups. Maximum ten people in six en-suite bedrooms (2 doubles, 2 double or twin and 2 singles).

Delight in comfortable accommodation with wonderful garden and grounds, great walks on your doorstep and fabulous excursions in the Yorkshire Dales. We will sell out fast, so book now!

Corporate & Leisure events at High Trenhouse

As of 17 May 2021 at the UK Government’s Roadmap Step 3, we start with Corporate & Leisure group events. At last, groups will be able to meet face to face, subject to social distancing and other relevant precautions.

Many people have been starved of the stimulus of relating to colleagues and friends, so now is a good time to get away into ideal surroundings for creative or regenerative work. Few places can match High Trenhouse for safe seclusion in unspoiled surroundings, where nature offers a healing, wholesome experience. Book now to get your group away for relationship-building, creative interaction, strategy development or personal learning.

People and Planet

Because of Covid lockdowns, many people have, understandably, been desperate to escape to the countryside. Malham, our local village, has been swamped with visitors at weekends. These have often been newcomers to the countryside and untrained in its ways. People assume they can picnic and barbecue or they park thoughtlessly and drop litter with impunity. Whereas it is lovely that people come, it would be good if they could leave their urban ways behind.

We need to think about how to re-conceptualise tourism so that it enriches the interaction between visitors and the nature that they long to encounter but, too often, unwittingly reduce to a backcloth to habitual behaviours. The tourist industry is preoccupied with recovering profits rather than with education, so it is left to happenstance whether people benefit deeply from being in the countryside and whether those who live in the country are not abused by such invasions.

Ideally, visitors would become sensitive to country living and what nature offers. Besides taking cash for hospitality, countryfolk are well-placed to involve people sympathetically with the natural landscape. In so doing they could help bridge the gulf that has opened between humanity and the natural environment that sustains all life.

A good start is to watch the films, ‘Kiss the Ground’ or ‘Living Soil’ which show how regenerative agriculture is changing farming in the USA. The recent ‘Save Our Soil’ conference amplified such ideas for the UK context. Treated well, our soil will absorb the excess carbon our activities release into the atmosphere. There is hope! If you want to make a difference, get in touch.

We look forward to welcoming you to High Trenhouse in 2021

Many of us are frustrated by the pandemic and the constraints it puts upon us.

Let’s spare a thought for all those who are worse off than we are. For those who are hurting or struggling; those who are sick or have lost loved ones; those who have lost their livelihoods; the lost and the lonely.

As the seasons turn, we wish everyone good health and a speedy recovery from this time of crisis.

We are good to go

High Trenhouse enjoys splendid isolation and, as you have the whole place to yourselves, it is a relatively safe place to be. Our team has re-organised the way space is used, so that everyone can maintain social distancing and hygiene routines, ensuring we all stay safe.

Government regulations allow business meetings of up to 30 people.

Under Covid-19 restrictions, High Trenhouse can accommodate up to 10 guests even at 2 metres distancing or up to 17 guests with 1 metre-plus.

Contact us to discuss your needs and book your event.

Crisis of our times

Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic is only one of a series of crises that is suggestive of the end of an era. We remember the financial crash of 2008 and we are increasingly aware of the impending climate crisis, as we witness more frequent and more severe extreme weather. As our political systems are at breaking point and global inequality runs rife, we are challenged to create a more wholesome and more sustainable society. To do that, we need to change our expectations and our behaviours so that all of nature can thrive and humanity with it. New thinking needs to underpin all our work. As an example, we can take note of Kate Raworth’s idea of Doughnut Economics, as presented to the RSA.

Let’s build a better world!

Explore the topic and resolve to be part of the solution. Let it change your life!

Beyond that, join in whatever initiatives you can that address the climate emergency.

Green New Dales

As the urgency of the climate crisis becomes more apparent, it seems we are on the brink of major changes in land and countryside management. The Yorkshire Dales Society and North Craven Heritage Trust collaborated to mount the Green New Dales Conference, which explored some of the initiatives that will be taken locally in response.

High Trenhouse has had significant involvement with our community since the days of the Foot and Mouth crisis which impacted our area 20 years ago. We are proud to have facilitated many community and business group interactions from the mid ’90s onwards. They got many people engaged in regenerative initiatives. Now we are looking to stimulate creative responses as the current crisis unfolds.

Contact us if you are interested in participating.

Garden and grounds

It is a joy to behold the garden flourishing and, as the years roll by, we sink ever deeper into our mini woodland eco-system. But, sadly, our ash trees are dying. Each successive year sees several reduced to firewood, opening up the woodland for other species. Last year we created ‘Hannah’s Wood’ close by, with fifty trees of assorted species. Our tree planting continues with another fifty trees scheduled to be planted this season. Have you read The Hidden Life of Trees? It feels as though we are bringing new communities to life on Malham Moor. Do sponsor a few trees or, better still, come and plant them yourself.

Email for details!

Book Launch

Leadership as Meaning Making is written by John Varney, founder of High Trenhouse Centre for management Creativity, with a foreword by Dr Meredith Belbin. This book will be published by Routledge on 24 December 2020. It explores the metaphorical relationship between the hero’s journey through unknown worlds (after Joseph Campbell) and the evolutionary principle by which people mature as human beings. In doing so they participate in meaning-making leadership as a shared phenomenon. Read the review.

Reserve your place for this on-line international book launch, featuring John in conversation with notable guest speakers, 1.30pm GMT 21 January 2021.

Order your copy

The Deep Blue Sea

By Wilfred Drath published in 2004 by Jossey-Bass

Reviewed by John Varney.

I was delighted to come across this excellent book and amazed that I had never even heard of it, in spite of working in the leadership milieu for 30 years. I used the title, Leadership as Meaning Making, for an article I wrote for Emerald back in 2009 and again for my upcoming book in which the ideas are greatly expanded. I was surprised, therefore, to discover the title had been used by Drath and Palus, as early as 1994, for a very interesting paper that Drath has developed in this book, The Deep Blue Sea. See the review.

Client Feedback

“A brilliant space in amazing countryside – get away from the day to day here and take the opportunity to think differently”
Phil Taylor – Design Director, Silver Cross

“Perfect venue given the restrictions of COVID”
Russell Crow – Engineering Development Manager, Tinsley Bridge

Let’s build a more wholesome society!

The pandemic gives us an opportunity to break free from ‘business as usual’. At the International Association of Facilitators’ (IAF) conference, John Varney and Catriona Duncan-Rees ran an interactive session on ‘Upping the Facilitator Game’. This explored facilitation as a key ingredient in helping the creation of a more wholesome post-covid society.

In addition, fellow facilitators contributed a series of successful on-line seminars which were enjoyed by 12 to 30 participants. You can watch your pick of the videos here.

We are collaborating with Mike Chitty of Realise Development to develop new on-line, face to face and residential programmes. We believe these will have a significant role to play in building a viable and sustainable post-covid society.

Co-working in co-creative space

Fancy a change? A new kind of Working Holiday?

Why work from home when you could be at High Trenhouse? Take a break! Enjoy collegiate company (socially distanced!) as you work and play.

Ample workspace with good Internet connection allows you to be focused and productive when you choose. Surrounded by outstanding scenery, you can step out into nature for exercise and inspiration.

Let our hospitality take care of your needs, leaving you free, just to be and to work as you wish.

Contact us to arrange your personal space to live and work for a week or more.

Zoom or Face to Face?

Much can be achieved with Zoom meetings but ultimately you begin to appreciate the much deeper inter-connection of face-to-face residential interaction.

Either way, we can help you, with design, facilitation or full supportive service for on-line or Covid-secure residential workshops. Alternatively, you can benefit from one-to-one on-line coaching.

Our hearts go out to all who are suffering sickness and loss during this Covid-19 pandemic. We hope that you and your loved ones will emerge from the crisis in good shape.

One day soon, we look forward to welcoming you and your organisation to High Trenhouse.

Self-catering

At last, you can enjoy time away with your family!

Through July and August 2020, Bennett’s is available for Self-catering for up to 10 people. Bennett’s at High Trenhouse, gives you safety and seclusion in idyllic surroundings – a comfortable, well-equipped place of your own. Relax in your own mature garden. Enjoy the grounds or explore the local countryside ranging from Malham Moor to the beauty spots of Malhamdale or the wilds of the Three Peaks – right from your door.

Book now to avoid disappointment.

In the meantime, take a virtual tour.

Please note: When you book Bennett’s for Self-catering the use of meeting rooms is not normally included.

Let’s build a more wholesome society!

The pandemic gives us an opportunity to make sure we do not revert to “business as usual”. We invite you to join us in this series of on-line interactions in which coach/facilitators associated with High Trenhouse offer ideas to stimulate co-creation.

Free seminars – Wednesdays 10.30 to 12.00

Click on the links below for further information and to book.

Request for Feedback

Retreats, off-site team development and strategy innovation events can be extremely valuable.

We would really like to know how you view the Covid-19 situation with regard to taking groups away. When will you get off-site again? What will give you the confidence to do so? Please fill in our short survey.

Many thanks!

The outcome of the survey will be available if you email us with your address.

Covid-19 Protocols

High Trenhouse is secluded from general circulation, and is therefore, a relatively safe place to be with plenty of open space and fresh air. At least, you know who is around; just your own group and our hospitality team!

Nevertheless we take the risk of Covid-19 seriously and have in place protocols to protect both visitors and staff. We feel it is important that we not only feel safe but really are safe. We have one-way systems where possible and social distancing. We take care to clean and sterilise regularly. Our team wear masks and gloves when appropriate to protect you.

This means we are not back to the old normal. Dining, in particular, is a little different from how it used to be.

Groups of up to 14

It looks as though, for the time being, government guidelines mean the maximum group size at High Trenhouse will be 14 by using both buildings. Please check with us when you plan to bring a group.

High Trenhouse Woodland Walk

With no clients on site and our staff furloughed, the grounds at High Trenhouse have been in the care of John and Bernadette.
It is challenging but nature has done her fair share and everything looks good. The wildlife certainly seem to enjoy having the place to themselves. This video gives you a little insight into what it might be like to be here.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

After the pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic will be with us for some time. The pause challenges society to take an evolutionary step. It confronts us all with a discontinuity that may just be the saving of humanity, provided we grasp our opportunity to change direction. Without such change, global heating and further pandemics may kill us all! With it, we may enter a new golden age. We need to choose well!

Read the article to stimulate your thinking!

If you want to explore this topic further, we invite you to join us at the (free) IAF webinar Facilitate The Future We Want (on 17 July 2020 at 10.00am) or sign up for one of the High Trenhouse webinars.

Mindfulness and Wellness

Mindfulness and Wellness are becoming increasingly popular in society. Not only is there a huge rise of interest in yoga, pilates, meditation, visualisation, etc for personal reasons but, as they enter the mainstream, they are penetrating into the world of work. Many an HR department is supporting what used to be fringe activities, because they are expected to deliver corporate benefits. Continue reading

Don’t miss our forthcoming open workshops

9 March 2020 – Leadership Developers’ Development Event

28 April 2020 – The Hero’s Journey – Leadership as Meaning-Making

Put it in your diary. No matter if you have been before – join us or send your colleagues!

“Network with interesting people, a deep learning workshop and share experiences over a delicious lunch. What a treat. I highly recommend you check out this unique venue.”
Gary Sheader, Founder – Manufacturers Alliance

Feedback from Clients

Since the last newsletter Robyn has been interviewing further clients to capture their experiences when they stay at High Trenhouse. Here are some videos.

Do please grant us an interview when you bring a group – just a few minutes of your time will help others find the place they need to change their lives and work.

Tourism or Meaning

Here in the Yorkshire Dales National Park there are attempts to re-think tourism and reflect on the role of national parks in society. Much has changed in the 60 or so years since national parks were established. Back then agriculture was the main industry and tourism an upstart. Nobody foresaw the switch of roles that would lead to protests from residents about visitor numbers and the loss of the difference that people originally sought through discovering rural bliss. Read more

Dutch Appel Taart

This is one of Bernadette’s grandmother’s recipes which never fails to impress. It is delicious and ever so easy.

We recommend you try it yourself!

Recycling

Having a low environmental impact has underpinned the High Trenhouse project since its inception in 1976. Of course, what seemed ahead of its day back then, has been overtaken by events. We thought we were well insulated but standards have improved and now we are only moderately good. For more than 30 years we have been planting trees in the grounds, to the point we are vanishing into a forest. Recycling is something we have done for decades. Read more

Change is in the air!

A new year and a new government with new initiatives!
This is the time to get off-site to think, in order to approach this uncertain future with confidence. For this, High Trenhouse provides the ideal environment – comfortable, secluded, secure and with help on hand if you need it.

Life Cycles
by John Varney

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, was given to me recently. At the same time, because it is relevant to my own up-coming book on the Hero’s Journey, I felt the need to re-read my Penguin version of Homer’s The Odyssey. I really enjoy reading more than one book at a time. It sets up a rich dynamic between the two authors and myself and my thinking is all the richer for it. What emerged from this particular juxtaposition was a grasp of the cyclic patterns that rule our lives Read more