Avon Tyrrell Update 15th September 2011

Interesting week at Avon Tyrrell, with plenty happening. Starting with the grand opening of our Centenary Garden which has been built by participants in our EcoHealth Project. We have had materials donated to help build the garden from a number of supporters and in particular the B&Q at Castlepoint in Bournemouth have been very helpful. The garden is an oasis of peace and tranquility and everyone is welcome to visit it and enjoy. You will find it located next to the Avon Tyrrell training room.

The official opening on Wednesday was attended by current and past EcoHealth participants as well as members of staff and invited guests who have supported the project. Despite the poor weather everyone enjoyed themselves and after a short opening speech from Louis Bonney, who was responsible for raising funds for the project, Roger unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Our Forest School was busy over the summer. Aiming to improve social, physical and emotional development through the interaction with the natural environment and through self led play. The young people are given ideas and knowledge from the Forest School Practitioners and were set up to achieve the tasks which they took part in.

Over the 6 week program the young people got to take part in a variety of activities; from shelter building to fire lighting to having a monkey party. The children had the opportunity to take part in group activities or to go off by themselves to play or explore.

Over the 6 sessions the group really began to bond. They came together and worked really well as a team and learnt when to give each other space. Watching the children grow in confidence each week was great, especially as they started to push the boundaries and come up with new ideas.

On the final week we had a cookout and all of the young people enjoyed collecting and sorting the fuel for the fire, lighting the fire and preparing the food to cook. They made a pizza and cooked hotdogs. For desert we enjoyed some rather yummy (if a little messy) smores.

Some of the parents gave us some wonderful feedback in the change of their child over the programme, how they had grown in confidence and couldn’t wait to come back each week and how they had begun to deal with their emotions in a more acceptable way. A very worthwhile programme which we hope to run again in the future.

And Finally since May this year we have had a number of B&Q groups have been clearing the vegetation to the South of our lakes with our maintenance team so we can return the grounds to their heritage and open the pathway up around the lake so all visitors have full accessibility. Well this week we have had the digger in and pulled out all the roots so the hard work done remains permanent. Wow what a difference, we have returned the grounds to close to their origins and created a nice spot to enjoy the lakes from and for the fisherman to fish from. Why not visit Avon Tyrrell and see what a difference has been made.

From here to here J

To find out more about Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre and the many varied opportunities we offer please contact us on Tel; 01425 672347 or email info@ukyouth.org or view our website www.avontyrrell.org.uk

Remember… experience – learn – develop