What’s new?
2 April 2007
Cambridgeshire Education Centre gets a face lift
Major renovations take place at Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom
During the summer, the Wildlife Trust is upgrading the Countryside Classroom at Ramsey Heights to create a comfortable meeting room for use all the year round by adult and school groups alike. The renovations will also provide improved access and facilities for all, including a new toilet block, and a small kitchen to enable us to provide basic refreshments at events.
We have plans to increase the use the Countryside Classroom for Wildlife Training Workshops, family learning events, and expand the season and increase the variety of topics for school visits. The improved facilities adjacent to Woodwalton Fen will also be used as a welcome area for group visits to the Great Fen and for Great Fen Project special events.
Unfortunately, the work means that the Countryside Classroom will not be available for school visits during the summer term 2007. However, staff from the Countryside Classroom will be leading half day Great Fen visits for KS2 and whole day visits for A level students at the Great Fen and Ring Haw Field Station. They will also be available to take activities to schools, either in their grounds, or on their local green space. Schools wanting a full day “Fen Experience” can combine a Great Fen visit with a visit to Ramsey Rural Museum with its extensive collection of local artefacts. Great Fen visits are with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund to promote understanding of the project and the restoration work being carried out on Darlow’s Farm.
From September, 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. If you are interested in joining the team of adult volunteers running the group, or if you have children between 8 and 11 who would be interested in joining the group, please get in touch with Helen Moore, centre manager at Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom.
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. Many organisations involved in environmental and countryside issues have come together to fulfil this vision. To learn more about the Cambridgeshire Green Vision contact the Green Infrastructure Development Officer on 07920 296254 or email Helen.Ryde (at) cambridgeshire.gov.uk.