10 jobs to go with field centre closure
An educational field centre which provided outdoor activity days for youngsters is to close, leaving schools across the region without a vital resource and around 10 people unemployed.
Money troubles have been cited as the reason behind the closure of Thornham Field Centre, which was set up by estate owner Lord Henniker and his wife Julia in 1985, offering environmental education courses to schools nationwide.
The centre – which will close on July 17 – is run by a charitable trust, which said it had reluctantly made the decision.
A statement from trustees said: "For many years, parties of schoolchildren have come to Thornham to enjoy this beautiful estate, but in the current financial climate we no longer have the resources to continue this educational work."
A member of staff, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is very sad. Many of the staff have been here years and years.
"There is nothing else like this in the county and it's very well used. Bookings are up hugely on last year and we have children coming in every day.
"To be honest, we're confused and angry about the decision."
But trustee Peter Bye said: "It's been a long struggle for the trustees and staff over many years to keep it going.
"It was a visionary idea when it was set up, but financially it struggled.
"When we had a close look, it had a running deficit of 20-25,000 a year.
"We came to the decision, after a lot of painful discussion, that it was too much of a challenge to keep it going."
He added it was hoped the educational work could be reintroduced at some point in the future.
The closure does not affect Thornham Walks, the Walled Garden Horticultural Project or any other project at Thornham.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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