What’s new?
22 April 2008
New education and community building opens
Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom is reborn!
After a year's renovation work, the Wildlife Trust has opened its new centre for education and community work at Ramsey Heights in Cambridge.
Throughout 2007, the Countryside Classroom has been modernised to improve access and facilities for visitors, and to create a comfortable meeting room for use throughout the year by adult and school groups alike.
The improved facilities are adjacent to Woodwalton Fen and will be used as a welcome area for group visits to the Great Fen Project and for special events relating to the huge fenland restoration project.
The renovation work will also enable the Classroom to be used for Wildlife Training Workshops and family learning events, as well as extending the season for visits.
From mid-April, the Countryside Classroom will also be the base for a newly-formed Great Fen Wildlife Watch Group, for local children to find out about wildlife in their area and get involved in the Great Fen Project.
Helen Moore, centre manager for Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom, said, “We are delighted to have these fantastic facilities. Now we will be able to provide a comprehensive education and community programme at the Countryside Classroom. We are very much looking forward to the launch of our new Great Fen Wildlife Watch Group and running more Family Fun Days, which provide enjoyable activities aimed at making wildlife and learning fun, encouraging adventure and discovery for young people, and installing enthusiasm and understanding for the natural world in our younger generations".
The mid-19th century building, once a Victorian brick and tile works, has undergone a complete facelift – benefiting from all modern amenities and including state-of-the-art ecological features. The rooms are lit by sun tubes and the toilets have air flush urinals to reduce water usage.
The project at Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom is part of the Cambridgeshire Green Vision – an exciting twenty-year plan for extending and enhancing the county’s network of green spaces, protected sites and nature reserves to improve the quality of life for existing and future residents.
The opening reception was attended by several school and community group representatives as well as organisations that helped fund the renovation work - Cambridgeshire County Council, Waste Recycling Group Limited through GrantScape’s Biodiversity Challenge Fund, the Ramsey Area Partnership and the Miss A.C. Martin Legacy Trust Fund administered by Hewitsons.
For more information on Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom, the Wildlife Watch Group and The Great Fen Project please visit contact Helen Moore on 07703582065 or email Helen.Moore [at] wildlifebcnp.org.