Crowdfunder to help save closed children's outdoor education centre in Cornwall
Campaigners fear the site could become housing if the council sells the building
Last updated 19th Jul 2022
A Crowdfunder has been launched to buy an outdoor education centre and keep it open for children to enjoy activities on The Roseland.
The campaign is looking to raise £120,000 needed to buy the centre which is being sold by Cornwall Council.
The Roseland Centre charity has already secured £80,000 in pledges for the centre but now needs the public to help raise the remaining funds.
Cornwall Council closed the centre in 2016 and is now set to sell the building along with other outdoor education centres.
Earlier this year Cornwall Council agreed to close down Cornwall Outdoors which operated outdoor education centres across Cornwall. Whilst a new operator is being sought for the outdoor education centre in Porthpean, the other centres have closed.
Following that decision those campaigning to reopen the Roseland Centre say it is more important than ever to have outdoor education centres operating in Cornwall.
Crowdfunder to save closed outdoor education centre
The Roseland charity has until the middle of September to raise the funds.
If the charity cannot buy the building then it is expected that Cornwall Council will place it for sale on the open market.
There are fears locally that if this happens then the centre will be lost and could be converted into housing.
The Roseland Outdoor Education Centre was open for years providing an opportunity for children all over Cornwall, and beyond, to enjoy outdoor activities.
School groups, scout packs and others all had the chance to try their hand at water sports and other activities at the centre which had accommodation for visitors.
If the charity is able to buy the building then they intend to operate it as an outdoor education centre once more.
The Roseland Centre committee chairperson Keith Ives said: "We're asking people to support the Roseland Centre by making any sort of donation, big or small, via our crowdfunding page. We’ve had great local support but we are only going to succeed if people from across Cornwall and beyond pitch in to help.
"I think everyone understands just how valuable outdoor activity and education is for children's health and wellbeing, particularly given their recent experience of the Covid lockdowns, so we're really trying to save this centre".
Fears outdoor education centre could be sold for housing
St Just in Roseland resident Rosemary Teague added: "I was the caretaker at the centre there for well over 13 years. Some of the children that came from up country and from Cornwall had never been near the sea. It was a really lovely thing to think that they were able to come here and take the boats or canoes on the water and go home with a new experience.
"I would like to see this happen again. There’s nothing better than to hear children laughing and playing. I’d love this centre to be back where it used to be".
Dina Wheatcroft, from Roseland Youth Sailing Trust, said: "Sailing is fantastic for physical and mental health for young people. For some it's about having fun, for others it's about learning new skills and for other children it can become a passion for life. The important thing is to give them the access for those opportunities. There's no better place to do it than here in Cornwall. I fully support the Roseland Centre".
And Julian German, Cornwall councillor for The Roseland, added: "This building means a lot to the local community, which has come together to protect Cornish outdoor activity and education provision for children – all the more important given the recent closure of Cornwall Outdoors and its council outdoor activity sites at Delaware, Carnyorth and Porthpean".
To find out more about the Crowdfunder or to donate, go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk and search for The Roseland Centre.