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Boma Challenge Day

April 25, 2016
April 25, 2016 - Boma Challenge Day
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If there's one thing that we've learnt over the last 10 years of running our self-catering log cabins at Hoe Grange Holidays it's that one thing very quickly leads to another. This is definitely the case with our amazing Boma 7 off-road wheelchair!

Following on from the entertaining calendar photo shoot with marauding animals, which was a laugh a minute, we found ourselves working with Chris and the Boma team once again to host the first Boma Owner's Appreciation Day.

Boma off-road wheelchair challengeMolten Rock was founded by Chris Swift, who became tetraplagic in 1995 following a neurological illness. As a qualified engineer with a mission to get back outdoors with no limits, Chris and his friend Jon Anders developed the incredible Boma all terrain wheelchair. Many of our guests have been able to enjoy exploring our beautiful Peak District countryside using this off-road machine - the smile on their faces says it all! So it was a pleasure to host the first Boma 7 challenge day.

Off-road obstacle challengePeople travelled from far and wide to join us in the hilly Peak District to test the capabilities of their mighty machines. Jon from Molten Rock together with David created a challenging course, including a balance see-saw, slalom and a reversing box, so Boma owners could test their driving skills.

Bomas are easy to operate but these obstacles needed skillful, controlled manoeuvres. It was fantastic to see Boma users with quadriplegia, MS, MND and CP all competing on the same basis.

off-road wheelchair see-sawThe drivers were timed and to make it more fun Jon attached a full glass of water to each Boma frame to see who made it round the bumpy course with the most water. David raced round in record time, but paid the price of speed over skill and received quite a soaking!

Boma off-road fun

Boma off-road course

David taking a quick shower!

After a quick bite of lunch the Bomas headed off over the hill for an off-road adventure. The weather forecast was wild and wet, but fortunately glorious sunshine prevailed and although the wind was a little chilly it didn't put anyone off.

off-road wheelchair on High Peak Trail

It was a superb site to see the Bomas trekking along the High Peak Trail and heading across the fields to Minninglow, an ancient neo-lithic burial ground, together with a large group of family, and friends.Bomas racing up the hill

Lucy takes the lead

Bomas reach the top of the hill

High on a hill a lonely herd of Bomas!

Canine Partners assistance dogAlso joining us was the Labrador Velo from Canine Partners who is in training to become an assistance dog. As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations we are aiming to raise £5,000 to buy and train a dog like Velo. We have seen first hand what a difference such dogs make to people's lives and it was great that the Boma challenge day raised over £100 towards our total.

The smiles and spirit of the whole event was creatively captured by professional photographer Ruth Downing from Rural Pictures and her "Sherper" husband Rob who had to carry all the camera bags up hill and down dale! If you would like high resolution versions of any of the photos please contact us.

rocky road The unstoppable Boma - nothing too rocky, nothing too muddy, no hill too steep - just pure family fun with everyone included!  4A2A8526Web

off-road trails

Meeting other off-roaders enjoying the Peak District

Thanks to Molten Rock for co-ordinating the day and all who helped make it a success; to Accessible Derbyshire and Mount Cook Adventure Centre for their support, to Bowler Motorsport for the loan of their mighty off-road Landrover Defender - another amazing off-road machine and to Derbyshire County Council for the loan of their mobile Changing Places toilet.

Make sure you book a place to join in the Boma action next year!

Felicity

off-road wheelchairs

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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...

  • star rating  We stayed for a night in one of the cabins . The cabin was spotless and very well equipped , lots of extra touches were added like fresh eggs and... read more

    Ajtravels14
    February 3, 2020

    star rating  We stayed in Pinder cabin and had a lovely stay, the cabin was spacious and comfortable, nice and warm after cold days out. The children loved meeting the animals and... read more

    Tiggywinkle15
    November 5, 2019

    star rating  It's been three years since we last visited but once we arrived it certainly didn't feel like it!
    We stayed in Hipley again which had had a refurbished wet... read more

    ElizabethA717
    September 21, 2019
  • star rating  Arrived and was shown to our pod, fantastic location and the pod was very good indeed plus we had home made bread and milk and tea and coffee. A... read more

    mickvfr
    July 28, 2019

    star rating  We spent four nights at Hoe Grange and had a lovely time. The location is fantastic and right next to the High Peak Trail. The cabin was very clean and... read more

    Big_Al_0000
    July 16, 2019

    star rating  We love this place. Very wheelchair friendly, really well equipped and comfortable, with easy access by car to lots of places of interest particularly Crich Tramway Village, Chatsworth, Bakewell and... read more

    David H
    October 25, 2019
  • star rating  Another great holiday at Hoe Grange - such a great place for us all to holiday as a family - this time with a baby, a 3 yr old, a... read more

    Thesamps
    October 4, 2019

    star rating  We had a lovely time staying in one of the incredibly well equipped pods. I bought my pony along and we had some great rides on the high peak trail.... read more

    plopster1
    June 7, 2019

    star rating  We wanted a complete break and some peace and quiet and this was perfect. The caravan was secluded with beautiful views over the countryside. Everything was spotlessly clean and well... read more

    joanne B
    June 4, 2019
  • star rating  We stayed in Rainster cabin for a long weekend 6 th to 9 th September. This was my 5 th visit to the amazing Hoe Grange. I had visited before... read more

    Jan Horsman J
    September 17, 2019

    star rating  We love this place. Very wheelchair friendly, really well equipped and comfortable, with easy access by car to lots of places of interest particularly Crich Tramway Village, Chatsworth, Bakewell and... read more

    dghiggs61
    October 25, 2019

    star rating  Loved every minute of our stay, and so did the family and friends that came to stay. Excellent facilities in our cosy Hipley log cabin. By far the best... read more

    krimpenijssel
    October 25, 2019
  • star rating  What can I say?
    Absolutely superb!
    We have just returned from a family weekend staying in Daisybank cabin and the Skylark pod.
    It was our first trip away with my... read more

    Wheelieuser
    June 13, 2019

    star rating  We have just returned from a short stay in one of the pods on site at Hoe Grange Holidays. We couldn’t recommend them enough. The pod has everything you could... read more

    Catboy86
    August 17, 2019

    star rating  For the second year running, we have had a great family holiday at Hoe Grange. We had one cabin for the week, for two sisters and our elderly wheelchair-using... read more

    EJYork2013
    June 25, 2019
  • star rating  We stayed in the Skylark pod last October (2018) and had a lovely time. There was homemade, rustic goods (bread, biscuits etc) when we arrived. Felicity and David who run... read more

    KBarry
    September 15, 2019

    star rating  On arriving at Hoe Grange in a downpour, we doubted if we’d made the right decision to go glamping, but after the warm welcome from David and a quick tour,... read more

    karenmD4738KD
    June 25, 2019

    star rating  What a wonderful find. As our first experience of needing accessible accommodation we could not have wished for better. Beautiful well equipped lodges in lovely surroundings. We stayed in both... read more

    L9943KBlesleym
    April 3, 2020
  • star rating  Recently spent a week in "Pinder" and had a lovely time. The location is stunning - the site is nestled in a beautiful valley on the edge of the Peaks... read more

    Peachey167
    July 16, 2019

    star rating  A beautiful place to stay! Amazingly run family business! Everyone were very welcoming, friendly and cozy! The skylark pod we stayed in was very clean, cozy and well equipped! The... read more

    sophiee249
    January 2, 2020

    star rating  Lovely place to holiday near to interesting locations and easy access to the High Peak trail and Carsington Water. Part of a working farm with fresh produce to enjoy during... read more

    Angie B
    August 3, 2019
  • star rating  Stayed last week, from 6th to 13th September in the log cabin called Hipley. This was amazing, it was our first visit but certainly not our last. Gold standard disability... read more

    548julie
    September 14, 2019

    star rating  What a lovely weekend away! We stayed in the lovely gypsy caravan, which was a wonderful and really unique experience. We took along our two horses, who also had a... read more

    rachelthomas2015
    June 18, 2019

    star rating  Felicity and David made us feel very welcome right from our booking. The pods are well equipped and spotlessly clean. The area is very peaceful with great views and we... read more

    Adventurer_12121
    January 30, 2020
  • star rating  We've just returned from our second visit to Hoe Grange. The suggested riding routes with stunning scenery were enjoyed by my daughter and I while the menfolk were delighted with... read more

    Jdrichie12
    July 11, 2019

    star rating  Myself and my sister travelled to Costa Rica and Panama via Viva Holidays Ltd. The holiday was exceptional and one to be treasured forever. Andrew at Viva Holidays... read more

    Paula C
    July 4, 2019

    star rating  lovely surroundings real farm country with chickens paying you a visit nice decking area to chill at the end of the day accommodation very good plenty to do nearby... read more

    vincent s
    July 28, 2019
  • star rating  Second visit to the accessible holiday cabins at Hoe Grange. David and Felicity were as helpful and friendly as ever. We had a welcome pack of freshly baked bread, butter,... read more

    Charlotte M
    August 7, 2019

    star rating  We stayed in Skylark, one of the two glamping pods available at Hoe Grange in February 2020.

    Felicity & David welcomed us when we arrived to show us around... read more

    HelenLCarter
    February 6, 2020

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