LONGRIDGE REPRIEVED
click on photo for large image
(21 September 2005)
The
good news is that, Longridge Boating Centre in Marlow has been given a
reprieve and will be open for business as usual next season.
The background to the threat to the site came from the Scout Associations decision to sell the Longridge site and it lookd as though the developers would move into the site! The saviours came in the form of a group of committed individuals, who formed an independent Charitable Trust to take on the ownership of Longridge. At the end of August, they agreed favourable terms of sale with the Scout Association of £1.5m for the site, which they have 2 years to raise. The Trustees, all from a variety of professional backgrounds including politics, business, education and law, will work with the Longridge staff and volunteers to ensure the Centre continues to flourish and improve.
If
you don’t know of site – you should!
Because over it’s 50 year history, Longridge has introduced
hundreds of thousands of young people to the pleasure of boating and each
of its 28,000 annual users is taught how to handle river craft expertly
and in safety. Most youth
groups, as well as schools and colleges visit for the day or camp – some
even brave the indoor ‘bunk accommodation’!
Many of these young peoples have gone on to become prominent sports
persons and a number have become Olympic medal winners.
The site is approved by the Royal Yacht Association and the British
Canoe Union and the highly qualified team of instructors, offer not only
beginner sessions for young people but full spectrum up to advanced
training for adults to become coaches in the principal water sports
activities.
The Trustees are creating a five-year business and development plan to ensure the Centre’s stability and future growth. The first priority - and most urgent - is to raise the necessary funds to buy the freehold from the Scout Association for £1.5 million to keep Longridge safe from other less welcome options.
After
we have secured the site, we don’t want to be constantly embarking on
fundraising, so it is vital that the site is able to maintain itself and
it’s future development; to do that Longridge needs a leg up in
development terms to radically improve current in-door accommodation and
classroom and lecture room facilities.
Improved facilities, will allow the Centre to be utilised
throughout the year and maximise the opportunities for those who currently
use the site and those who have yet to discover it.
It is estimated that a further £3.5 million will be required to
bring Longridge up to the required standards to ensure its long-term
success. Therefore, Longridge requires £5 million to fund its short and
long-term plans.
Which
seems quite a lot of money, but when you tot up that our plans will allow
more young people to use the site more often and for a longer season it
will works out less than an £30 investment per user over the next 5
years!
We
need lots of help to raise the £5m and urgently ask for help in two ways,
firstly by volunteering to help run fundraising activity and secondly, to
look for local businesses that may be prepared to become sponsors – our
fundraising team would be delighted to discuss your ideas, you can either
ring them or visit our fundraising office at Longridge.
You can find out more about Longridge and our campaign at www.friendsoflongridge.org
or contact our fundraising team on 01628 483252.
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