Back Dane cottage is situated in the Peak District at the western end of the Roaches. It is approximately half way between Leek and Macclesfield. Originally leased by the Scouts the cottage burned down (due to an accident) in 1976. It was then bought by Derby IVS (International Voluntary Service) as a burned out shell. Since then a team of volunteers have worked on the old cottage, first reroofing and making it useable. We then proceeded on to have electricity installed (previously supplied by generator). Next a whole sewerage system was built to replace the chemical loos, which really got the place into the 20th Century. A team of volunteers is still busy working on the cottage always improving and making things better for the users. We now run Back Dane under the name "The Beasley Trust". Our organization operates weekends for underprivileged children such as those from inner city areas who do not get out into the country or those who are from home backgrounds where it is just not possible to give them the experience of being away from the city. We also run weekends for our Tuesday Mencap group (a regular Tuesday club held in Derby). Roughly once a month we have what is known as an improving weekend where a team of volunteers goes to Back Dane to carry on the work to upgrade, repair and generally maintain the cottage. Eventually I hope to write a site solely devoted to this part of our activities. Anyone is welcome to attend these weekends where we all muck in with the jobs/cooking etc and we all have a good social either at Back Dane or at the local pub - the Ship Inn in the village Wincle.

Activities around the cottage on children's weekends usually centre on walks in the Roaches, games in and around the river at the bottom of our land and indoor group games. We take trips out to places such as Castleton and Alton Towers which are nearby. We also run a very successful Christmas weekend for kids where one of us (frequently me) get to dress up as Santa and present the kids with gifts usually kindly donated to us by other charities and friends.

During other times when we are not using the cottage for our own weekends it is available to book for other groups at prices that are roughly equivalent to half the Youth Hostel rates. The cottage sleeps 21 in bunk beds in 3 dormitory style rooms. Electricity is via a card meter (cards supplied by us at £4 each). There is a kitchen with electric cooker, fridge/freezer. Heating is both electric and open fires (provide your own coal). Access is by a rough farm track but can be navigated by all but the lowest slung sporty type cars. Its fun why not give us a try !

I have been involved with Back Dane since 1985 and have made so very many good friends there. It is a fine and wonderful place surrounded by breathtaking scenery. I would like to thank all of those who work together there with myself. You are all special !