Dales education centre may shut

BUSINESS: An outdoor education centre, which has given thousands the chance to explore the Yorkshire Dales, is facing closure because of the Covid- 19 pandemic.

Terry Hailwood, head of the Low Mill Outdoor Centre in Askrigg, said the sector had been “left in the lurch” by the Government.

AN outdoor education centre which has given thousands of young people a unique opportunity to explore the challenges of the Yorkshire Dales for more than 40 years is facing closure because of the Covid- 19 pandemic.

Terry Hailwood, head of the Low Mill Outdoor Centre in Askrigg, said it and the whole of the sector had been “left in the lurch” by the Government.

Forced to close its doors as the lockdown began in March, the centre – which caters for schools and special needs groups from all over the north of England and parts of Scotland – had expected to reopen when children returned to school last month.

“We knew we could survive until September, with a number of generous grants and all the staff being furloughed,” Mr Hailwood said. “That is what we expected.

“We were shocked to be told that despite the government emphasis on the importance of outdoor learning to children’s mental health and resilience, Public Health England and the Department of Education prohibited residential visits.

“We had bookings right through to next spring from primary and secondary schools, and charities, including Cancer Care UK. At a stroke, they were all completely wiped out.

“This is the worst crisis we have faced, even worse than foot and mouth, and I honestly don’t know if we are going to recover from it.”

Mr Hailwood said that, despite extensive lobbying from the whole outdoor education sector, the guidance prohibiting residential courses had not been lifted.

Low Mill will almost certainly remain closed to residential groups until spring 2021, and may never reopen.

“We are told to expect another announcement in November, when maybe the guidance will change with a view to the following spring,” Mr Hailwood added. “But that will not help us because we have to plan so far ahead.”

The centre is still offering day visits to local and regional schools, with activities including abseiling, sailing, canoeing, caving and archery, but apart from two groups attending this week, they are not being taken up.

Mr Hailwood believes a lack of confidence among school heads, governors and parents could sound the death knell for such institutions. “People are seeing what is happening with the resurgence of the virus, they are seeing the problems in universities, and they are just very cautious for the children in their care,” he said.

“At a time of uncertainty they do not want to commit, and I can understand that.”

During the lockdown, the centre has received grants of £ 5,000 from Richmondshire District Council and £ 10,000 from Sport England’s community emergency fund. Its future is uncertain though since it has running costs of £ 3,500 a month, even without the wage bill for its 11 local staff.

This is the worst crisis we have faced, even worse than foot and mouth. Terry Hailwood, head of the Low Mill Outdoor Centre in Askrigg.