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Northamptonshire

Grendon Hall

Level 1

This site has been visited and approved as a Level 1 site. There are plans for a new climbing wall/tower but when visited for a second time (March 2003) there was no work under way and the old tower was still in use. This is a wood/scaffold tower with bolted on holds. There are sides for abseiling and climbing and a large area on the top. Students shoul be tied in when on the top, as scaffold sides are not enclosed and it is possible to fall.

Duston Upper School, Northampton

Level 1

Berrywood Road, Duston.

This school has a 1970's style wall on the end of a sports hall. The holds are bricks protruding or incuts, and there is a large scaffold bar at the top to belay from. This needs to be accessed by climbing up unprotected, so leaders must be happy to do this if they are to set up ropes here.

Any group may book the wall, but the school has no equipment for hire. You must have your own instructors and Public Liability Insurance, although the school does not check either qualifications or insurance certificates.

This facility is rarely used. There is no lighting for evening use, and the base is tarmac.

Overall this is rather a dated facility, although if it is convenient for a group to visit then there is nothing wrong with it if used with care regarding access to set up ropes, and landings at the base.

Sir John Lowther Scout Site, Kettering

No Level ; Level 1 for mobile wall if visiting (1/year)

Rushton Road, Glendon, Kettering, NN14 1QF. Tel: 01536 517539 email: warden@nccnet.co.uk

This centre is very new and has a bouldering facility in the grounds; however this qualifies as play equipment and does not require a climbing qualification. The facility is good; it has its own enclosed area with soft landing (woodchip & mats).

Once a year the Northamptonshire Scouts mobile climbing wall visits, with its own staff. Please check that they are qualified under the GGUK scheme and not just with Scout qualifications.