DFSC

DFSC
Bristol CC Outdoor Education Centre situated in the village of Parkend in The Forest of Dean

Friday 21 October 2022

AUTUMN 2022 UPDATE



Autumn is here and the Virginia Creepers on the Garden Rm and Main Centre Building are showing their wonderful colours

 Our big news of the season was celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Centre on 9th September 2022.

We had children from several school attending and after a buffet lunch showcased a variety of activities that we do at the Centre. The following video features the Centre Manager's speech and many images from the day and from over the years: Deanfield 50th Anniversary Celebration Day, 09/09/22 - YouTube


A commemorative standing stone and new activity were unveiled by Richard Hanks, the Director of Education & Skills at Bristol CC 

The sign on the other side of the standing stone lets people know where the Garden Room is!


We have also been getting on with the usual maintenance tasks such as painting the fire staircase.


And of course, we keep doing what we are here to do and run outdoor learning courses for young people. Below we had a large group of Yr 7's arrive for a day visit focussing on getting to know one another a lot better through challenges and teamwork. These Yr 7 induction days are really worthwhile when the students first start their secondary education.



We are now fully booked with residential courses until Christmas

Monday 18 July 2022

Summer 2022 Update

 


We've now hosted a few wedding receptions at Deanfield.
For the latest one the wedding couple chose to have a ceremony around our campfire circle area. Instead of a fire they had a planted flower display created by a Chelsea Flower Show gardener.

They left the flowers which are now planted by the end of our zipwire


We have landscaped the end of the zipwire to now be level with a padded landing mat underneath the astro-turf for increased safety


Our roundhouse has had a little make-over with new cedar soffit boards


Last year in one of the storms we had record high levels of water in the local river that flows through the village and past our grounds. Our sluice gate was breached and water poured over the top and flooded the centre grounds.



We have now installed a new sluice gate and also increased the height by a course of blocks


No worries out flooding this week and we are in a drought. With temperature forecast for 34 degrees C today we have put up a gazebo on the archery shooting line to keep students shaded and have also got a garden hose on mist for them to go under to cool down


In the house we have done a complete refurbishment of the ensuite for staff room No. 15 - complete new bathroom suite and tiling 


We have a new activity which is due to be unveiled at our 50th Anniversary Celebration on the 9th Sept.
It's presently under wraps and just teased below!...