Early Autumn 2015 Update

We were so busy over the summer that we didn't manage to do a Blog Update! So here's an update of some of the things that have been happening.

Our new archery range has proved to be a great success and we hope more of our existing schools will add this activity to their programme.

This summer saw us running a lot more Bushcraft sessions which were also very well received. 

Groups started fires using flint/steel and charcloth and then cooked dampers (made to Jane's secret recipe) on the fire.

 

Click on the short video below to see how tasty they were!

 

Here's another fun little video of one of our Summer groups mountain biking. You can tell that Ian, the Centre Manager got a new video camera for Christmas!

We have also hosted several parties over the weekends in the Summer. The Garden Room and it's deck makes an excellent venue for such occasions. We have even hosted a wedding reception! Pictures to hopefully follow in a later Blog post.

 

A couple of groups have also camped on the new lawn as part of a party weekend.

One group even hired in a hot tub that we sited for them!

Of course the tunnels were also hired

 and we also ran a High Challenge session for them

 

You know where to book you next big party weekend!

Summer 14 Update Including Karaoke!

All the living roofs at the Centre are looking lush and verdant after spring rainfall and sunshine:

 

Roundhouse roof

 

Recycling Centre Roof

 

 

Dean Garden Room roof

 

As well as looking good they provide habitats and food for insects and help with retaining storm run off

The willow sculptures above the Tunnel System are also bushing well since planting in January.

 

We have installed a new sliding and concertinaing wall in the Dean Garden Room that separates the end of the building into a separate meeting room. This can then be opened back to create a larger space.

 

We  have also now equipped the main room with disco and Karaoke equipment for use by groups which is proving popular! 



Cave Rescue Training comes to DFSC

Ian Healey, the Centre Manager for DFSC, is also the Training Coordinator for the Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group (GCRG). On the 1st June he organised a GCRG Training Day based at DFSC utilising the Dean Garden Room and grounds and making good use of the Climbing Tower and Tunnels System.

 

Interesting to know we can manoeuvre a stretcher in the tunnels!

 

Setting up radio Comms

 

 

 Abseil practice on the Tower

 

Stretcher Hauling on the High Ropes Course

 

http://www.gcrg.org.uk/

General Update Jan 14

We have just finished the majority of the top landscaping around the Tunnel System. Matting now protects the recently turfed and pathed areas and willow sculptures have been planted to shade the junction chambers and pipes that are above ground. In the spring these will sprout into green foliage to reduce the solar heating of the tunnel system. In the theme of tunnels it includes a willow tunnel that you are channeled through to get to the entrance of the underground tunnels.

We have been pleased to take delivery of 3 new PC's to supplement our exiting IT resources.

Our two caretakers have been busy taking advantage of a rare empty week just after Christmas to do jobs that can't be done with students in residence. We have painted floors and even dug up one to renew a drainage junction beneath it.

The first week back also gave us a chance to turn of the heating system and install a new radiator and put in 10 new radiator valves.

The heating is now back on for this weeks residential group and the upgraded loft insulation above the Common Room is keeping that area even more cosy and energy efficient.

Tunnels at DFSC

Ian Healey, The Centre Manager, is a keen caver and has been leading groups of young people caving for over 20 years.

His experience tells him that many children really enjoy the tighter more challenging parts of a cave! This is in-spite of the expectations of their teachers! Ian regularly leads groups in Clearwell Caves and a popular an memorable part of the cave for many students is the 'Polo Hole', pictured above.

For a while we have had an old drainage pipe in the centre garden that has been used for problem solving challenges and it becomes a magnet to children to investigate. Above are two 2 year-olds from Forest Tots who have decided to go through it.

 The plans for the new classroom left a small area of land next to the building blank. Yes, it could have just been laid to lawn but we had a much better idea!

"What if we bought a load of pipes and constructed an underground tunnel maze!?" "We better make a plan!"

"Right let's buy some pipes". "We need some people to move them!" "Well, we've got lots of DFSC staff"

"We'll make construction workers out of them yet! Here we go walking down the road with one of the big pipes and the Centre building in the background."

 "I know lets use rainwater harvesting tanks as junctions between the tunnels!" "Yes, and we could start in a shed with 4 different tunnels heading out of it!"

"We'll need somebody with a digger and a dumper truck"

"What about putting one tunnel under the deck and another one sliding down on to the lawn?!"

This project is well under way and should be ready for the first groups to use next term. The construction phase has raised a lot of interest from visiting groups who are now looking forward to using it on their next visit. We think it will make an excellent new activity that combines team work, personal challenge, communication and  problem solving. We'll be setting a variety of challenges which  will include orienteering, mapping and transporting objects. We look forward to telling you more about the Tunnels in the future once they are being used.