In the 1950s, Shropshire policeman Bill Williams and his wife Hetty began giving holidays to boys from Wolverhampton, helped by the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS).
To entertain his two visitors in 1958, Bill put up a makeshift tent in the back garden. It was such a success that he hatched the plan to run a week long camp.
In 1959, 20 boys arrived for their first experience of the countryside. Bill persuaded local farmers to lend fields, buildings and cattle trucks. He found tents, raised money for food and recruited friends as willing helpers.
By 1978, there were two camps and 83 boys. Now, we welcome hundreds of young people each year.