The Midland Association of Mountaineers (MAM) opened a newly refurbished family friendly cottage in Coniston on 26 January.

The Cottage is adjacent to their hut Low House in Coniston and had been in poor condition for some time.

To help them with the refurbishment MAM received a grant from Sport England's Inspired Facilities programme that is part of the Olympic Legacy programme and is specifically to help make facilities more attractive to a wider range of people. In this case, more attractive to families, minority groups and those less mobile.

The refurbishment work at The Cottage was overseen by a working group within MAM made up of Brian McDonough (Chair), Chris Scarborough (Chair of Low House hut sub-committee), Brian Water (assistant treasurer), Deborah Shaw, Amy Hutchins. Many other MAM club members also contributed their time and efforts during the course of the project.

The Cottage now provides modern self-catering facilities that sleeps 6, in two bedrooms - one of which is on the ground floor.  It is ideal for a family group as it is entirely self-contained and separate from the club hut Low House.

MAM extended an invitation to the BMC to send a representative to open the new building and The Cottage was officially opened by the BMC's Deputy CEO Nick Colton at 3pm on Saturday 26 January 2013. In the evening there was a meal to celebrate the anniversary of the opening on the original Low House hut in 1967.

This is not the first time that a BMC affiliated club has received such an award. Gloucester Mountaineering Club also received a grant from the Inspired Facilities programme  last year.

BMC Guidelines for clubs 

BMC Club's Committee contact details

Contact MAM membership secretary

Sport England's Inspired Facilities programme

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