Internet Edition




Issue 10
Spring 2000

New man at the top of YHA CYMRU WALES

Mark, 35, arrives in Wales following an extensive career with the YHA which began in 1984 as a seasonal assistant at Kings Lynn hostel in Norfolk. Born and brought up in Luton Mark had been a keen hosteller in his schooldays and was pleased to find employment with an organisation he was committed to and had experienced from the other side of the reception desk.

Following his first summer's work, Mark moved on to posts at Sheringham, Norwich and Cambridge hostels. Finally, with a move as warden to Holmbury St Mary in Surrey, Mark together with his wife Liz, took command of his own hostel.

From Holmbury, Mark spent a spell in National Office as a Hostels Operation Officer concerned with catering, health and safety and other operational procedures. There then followed a move north to take up the post of Operations Manager for Yorkshire, and Business Manager for the Groups Division's northern hostels. Mark was appointed Director of the YHA's Welsh operations in September 1999. Despite a daily immersion in the YHA, Mark, Liz and their two young daughters still find time and enthusiasm to visit hostels in their leisure time.

One of Mark's priorities since taking over at the helm of YHA Cymru Wales (the new official title for the YHA in Wales) is to see the long standing dream for a hostel on the waterfront of Cardiff Bay realised. Mark is currently busy trying to obtain funding for this project and says that we are likely to know by the end of 2000 if the dream will become a reality.

Mark Farmer has recently taken over from Mike Afia as the director of the YHA in Wales. Peter Kingsbury looks back over Mark's career and at his aspirations for the future

New YHA Cymru Wales boss, Mike Farmer

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