AUSTERFIELD FIELD STUDY CENTRE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
June 2013
We have had a very positive meeting with DMBC and the new social enterprise is very close to taking over the centre.
Follow our progress on facebook austerfield study centre,
contact us to make bookings from September 2013 by emailing info@austerfieldstudycentre.co.uk
or come along to find out more about the exciting future of the centre at our celebration party.
We have had a very positive meeting with DMBC and the new social enterprise is very close to taking over the centre.
Follow our progress on facebook austerfield study centre,
contact us to make bookings from September 2013 by emailing info@austerfieldstudycentre.co.uk
or come along to find out more about the exciting future of the centre at our celebration party.
April 2013
Come to our 'drop in' volunteer meeting at the centre on
WEDNESDAY 24th APRIL at 4.30pm-7.30pm.
As work to establish this enterprise progresses, specific areas of help are being recognised. Bite size 'chunks' which will help build the business:
- accountant
- seeking and completing funding applications
- marketing
- office administration
- become a trained expert guide
- leading and help to lead school groups
- animal husbandry
- site and buildings maintenance
- developing new educational programmes
- making education resources
- running a leisure group for children and adults
- running children's parties
- cleaning
If you are unable to attend please let me know if you are interested in volunteering for any of the above or have any other ideas/skills you'd like to share.
GOOD NEWS!
The centre was due to close this week, but DMBC have agreed to support it until the end of July. All bookings previously agreed can now be honoured.
Thank you for the many letters (and posters from the children) of support received -they will help us to secure funding, so please keep them coming.
March 2013
DMBC consultation on Austerfield Study Centre E-Form available to complete on line at http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/doitonline/consultations/Consultation_on_Austerfield_Study_Centre_EForm.aspx
Two recent meetings for the residents of Austerfield were well attended, with very supportive points of view on how the centre can be used more fully for educational, community and social activities.
January 2013
We've had a very positive meeting with DMBC on Thursday 31st Jan. Still lots of bridges to cross!
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
The community itself is investigating the feasibility of taking it over by setting up a social enterprise.
More information about social enterprises on website
The project would allow it not only to continue providing environmental education, but also provide a community base for the village.
We will keep you up to date on our progress over the next few weeks, we need to act now time is running out.
What’s the problem?
The old Primary School in Austerfield was built in 1882 and
when Doncaster MBC acquired it in 1973, was set up as an
environmental education Centre. Over the years it developed its
capacity to take over 10,000 children a year in its hey day,
employing 6 people. Sadly staff have been reduced over the last
year and now, with cut backs, it is closing its doors. Once it goes,
it will be very difficult to re-open.
What does it do?
Teachers book their classes into the centre and choose one of
the many activities which enrich children’s National Curriculum
learning in science, geography, history, physical and social
development. They either come for a day or use the
dormitories and tents for overnight(s) visits. For some
children this is their first and possibly only experience in the
natural environment. Children have safe use of woodlands,
ponds to dip, and heathlands to explore. I meet adults who
recall happy memories of trips to Austerfield, especially those
‘staying away from home’ magic moment memories.
What are we trying to do?
The community is looking into the feasibility of securing its future by setting up a social enterprise. We hope this would enable it to continue to offer environmental education to children and also become a village community centre, something Austerfield lacks at the moment.
Passionate
I have tried to keep this information sheet objective, but I hope you will allow me a moment of passion. Having been privileged to work at the centre for most of my career, I have seen how first hand learning experiences enrich the education and social development of children of all abilities.
I cannot just see it close without exploring ways to help it through these difficult times and continue to be available, in one form or another to provide an environmental education service for generations to come.
Immediate problems
- We are working on a very tight timescale, probably the end of March2013.
- The diary is full of bookingsfor the summer school term and, ifpossible, we want to honour thesebookings (2000 children who arelooking forward to their visit).
Immediate action required
- We need to continue talking to DMBC.
- We need to secure interim funding for the summer term, allowing us a realistic amount of time to explore the feasibility and formulate a sustainable business plan for the centre.
Want to support the community initiative? - thank you - here’s how
Letters of support will help us prove a need and support applications for funding.
Letters of support will help us prove a need and support applications for funding.
Schools - Write a letter of support stating who you are and type of school you work(ed) in or run, how you value the centre, benefits to your children, impact if it goes.
Parents/families - Letter of support, if your children (or maybe you when you were younger!) have been to the centre.
Parents/families - Letter of support, if your children (or maybe you when you were younger!) have been to the centre.
Community Groups
- A letter of support stating your organisation and your interest.
Local community
- Again a letter of support stating your views on the need for a community building.
Financial support
- Reply via email with your thoughts please.
Send all letters and comments to my email. suerose23@gmail.com
and or post your support and thoughts below:
Thank you for all the letters and emails supporting this initiative. Keep them coming. Sue
ReplyDeletethis cannot be shut down im 30 an remember going there xx
ReplyDeleteIt would be such a shame if it was to close. I have such wonderful memories from visiting as a child. I actually think its due to visiting Austerfield study centre that I found my passion for animals, especially snakes! It would be terribly sad if my 2 little girls never get the chance to go there with school. I hope there is some way that you can stay open :-(
ReplyDeletehaving recently made enquiries at the centre with the intention of organising a group visit there i was saddened to be told that the centre is closing soon, it is without doubt an asset to our local communities and to lose it would be, in my oppinion just another example of how we are losing the family silver in the name of so called austerity, once we allow assets like this to dissapear for good (when its gone its gone )along with our libraries , sure starts etc we are depriving our future generations of what we all (in this together) took for granted , its facilities and services like these and other that actually make a difference and in the bigger picture make our nation the envy of the world. we should work together to keep services like these available not stand back and watch them be destroyed.
ReplyDelete