dw - Head of Avon Tyrrell Blog: October 2011

Sunday, 23 October 2011

Avon Tyrrell October 2011

Avon Tyrrell Update

Winter is on its way and although a little chillier we still have enjoyed some good weather. Avon Tyrrell remains busy with residential and day visits from schools and young people groups as well as families and friends. We have now had our main sports court surface upgraded with a rubberized surface and this will make it a great surface for groups to use. We have also managed to replace two of our settees in our 6 berth lodges for the comfort and enjoyment of visitors, so we hope you like them if you are using these lodges.

We have recently had a visit from Nat West employees who volunteered to help for a day and they continued the work on our heathland area. The team did a great days work and cleared a great amount of vegetation which included revealing the views across The new Forest, which have not been seen for many years from this area.

Jaguar/Landrover apprentice staff also kindly organised a digger for half a day to do some work on the heathland and this made a good start on the work and we hope to get a digger in to do some more work in the near future.

We have also launched our tractor appeal, as with 65 acres of grounds to manage and maintain we are in desperate needs to get a decent tractor to ensure we can maintain and develop the grounds for the benefit and enjoyment of our visitors. We are hoping to raise £35,000 and would appreciate any help in reaching this total.

You are most welcome to visit and see what we are up to or 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

Friday, 7 October 2011

Avon Tyrrell October 2011

Avon Tyrrell Update

So much happening again that we want to tell you about, from visits from Blue Peter to having British Peddle Car Champions in our midst and the great efforts from B&Q volunteers in completing clearing the vegetation around our main lake. And whilst all this goes on we are enjoying a visit from Scholing College and Robert Piggott Junior School. And wow what great weather we have had which has ensured our outdoor pool has been used right into early October.

Last weekend we had a visit from Blue Peter who were filming families from the Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association Charity, who visit Avon Tyrrell annually and enjoy a weekend of activities and support meetings for families. Barney was here all day with the families and the feedback we received was a huge thank you to all the team for such a fantastic day that ran so smoothly. The families all had an amazing time, and so did the film crew! You can watch the visit on Blue Peter Monday 10^th October, BBC1 at 4.30pm.

In late September, 3 members of Avon Tyrrell’s past and present staff – Christine Blackburn, Amy Blackburn and Steph Mills went to Curborough race circuit to enter the 7th and final race of the British Pedal Car Racing season. This was a 7 hour endurance relay race, which starts in daylight and finishes in darkness. 28 cars entered the starting grid and they finished 16th competing against men’s teams, mixed teams and junior teams most of which had 4 team members. The team won the ladies trophy and for their efforts over the season they also won the British Pedal Car Championship ladies trophy too. Excellent Peddling Ladies and we hope to see you racing again next season.

The B&Q volunteering teams have continued their excellent work around our main lake, with more hard work and great team spirit. On two separate days the Compliance Team and then the Finance Team finally completed clearing the vegetation from the overgrown pathways around the main lake and the lake pathways are now fully accessible. We now want to improve the quality of the paths so everyone can enjoy walking around the lake. A magnificent effort from B&Q staff and we are so very grateful. And not content with clearing around the large lake, a small team from the B&Q Training Team also did some fantastic work helping start work around our ornamental pond and overgrown garden beds by the Queens tree.