Wannabe Reivers and Robin Hoods To be Heroes of Unique English Abseil Event

Possibly the most unique charity abseil event in England is trying to fill a charity’s coffers once again, as medieval castle and committed outdoor events company combine, to deliver a truly remarkable experience, as well as a feelgood factor-fuelled thrill.

Channelling the spirit of medieval foes and Border Reivers, up to 220 people will be scaling the centuries-old castle walls (dating back to 1350), of Langley Castle Hotel, near Haydon Bridge, Northumberland on June 5-6, to raise money for Maggie’s cancer care, Newcastle.

The super-resilient castle, which has withstood all that the centuries, fire and the treason of two of its owners have thrown at it, will now be allowing more remarkable people to do remarkable things, following a first abseil event in September 2020.

Then, organisers found the lure of the 671-year-old castle, and the opportunity to abseil from amazing battlements offering views over to Hadrian’s Wall, was truly unique.  Amongst their fundraisers, they had a participant who had undergone chemotherapy the day before, one who just weeks earlier had been in a coma and another who was confined to a wheelchair, but still determined to take on the Langley Castle challenge for charity.

Participants aged from 10 to 76 and the feedback from all was amazing, wowing even the organisers, Wild About Adventure, who thought they had seen it all when it comes to the abseiling ‘buzz’.

“This is more than just an abseil,” says Paul Mordue, of Wild About Adventure.  “This abseil comes with a spine-tingling element attached and a little bit of escapism.  When you take to these ropes, you are not just abseiling but becoming a medieval Robin Hood, attaching yourself to walls that could tell you so much, if they could speak and reveal their history.  

“The drop is extraordinary but so is the ambience.  We can honestly say it is the best abseil we have ever arranged, which is why we plan to make it an annual event.  The Langley Castle team are so super-helpful, that everything goes like clockwork.  We can’t wait to get back on those walls!”

Maggie’s Hospice has special significance for Paul, as it cared for the wife of one of his best friends, before her loss to cancer.  It requires £2500 a day to run the centre, so events like the Langley Castle abseil really make a massive difference.

Langley Castle’s executive general manager, Margaret Livingstone-Evans, says, ”This abseil event was very humbling for my whole team last year, as we saw determined and courageous people battling their own health issues, to do something for others.  We’d never had this sort of event before, so were a little nervous, but it is run superbly, so there need be no concerns over safety or social distancing.  It could be the ideal opportunity for those with pent-up energy to do something amazing and help charity and we are sure to discover more heroes.”

As a note of reassurance, whilst Langley Castle is renowned for its 12 medieval garderobes (posh toilets of their time), which projected waste from the walls, which fell into a pit below, washed by a natural stream, the castle would like to reassure abseiling participants that the garderobes are no longer in use and that won’t be the wall down which abseilers bounce!  

On this basis, if you wish to channel your inner Robin Hood or Border Reiver, you can sign up for the abseil at https://bit.ly/3eUwp96   Entry into the event costs £36.50 for registration and should give lots of scope for fundraising.  More details about the walls you will be scaling can be found at www.langleycastle.co.uk and you can also book afternoon tea or other refreshments, if you would like to make a family day out of it.                     E

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Editors notes

Langley Castle, built in 1350, is located in Langley-on-Tyne, Northumberland and is one of the few authentic, fortified medieval castles in England. It has a rich history, with strong links to Jacobite rebellions, is located just a stone's throw from the World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall and boasts features including battlements, seven-feet-thick walls, window seats set into the walls and the best example of medieval garderobes in Europe. It is one of the most exquisite wedding venues in the north and also offers a wide range of options when it comes to exclusive use, with the castle being available for weddings, family celebrations, Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs, D&D-style events and a wide variety of corporate functions.