Girlguiding UK Climbing and Abseiling Scheme

Climbing Facility: This is a 25 foot scaffold structure which is currently being modified and upgraded. There are two abseil platforms, short and long, and there will soon be a high climbing face (visited Sept 05). The tower is in excellent condition and should be a very good facility when complete.

Other facilities include archery, fishing, rafting, canoeing, orienteering, pioneering, and a nature trail.

Hire Charges & Equipment: There is a full range of equipment available to hire upon request.

Instructors There are on site instructional staff available for weekends. Please insist on SPA qualified staff as Scout qualifications arenot acceptable to GGUK.

Guide Association instructors are welcome but must show proof of qualification held.

Booking Contact Details:

Tena Bragg
2. Spinney Close

Brandon
Suffolk.
IP27 0HH
Tel: 01842 810152
Fax:
Email:alan@spinney2.freeserve.co.uk

Wymondham Leisure Centre

SPA

Norwich Road, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 0NT.

Tel: 01953 607171 Contact: Nick Clarke

This centre has a fairly high (about 8m) wall which is 9 years old and is in 3 sections: one small breezeblock flat wall with bolt-on holds; the largest central area with an 8m leading wall which overhangs; and a small bouldering room. This is a good facility for a small town, but the climbing is mainly too difficult for young people or beginners. There is probably enough here for a session or two though.

There is no equipment for hire, and there are no in-situ ropes; so you'd have to lead to the top to fix ropes up. This makes it an SPA only wall; not suitable for GA Level 1 (the centre require SPA in any case). There are no quickdraws in place either, so if you do want to lead up you'll need to bring your own. This is all fairly academic however, as the sort of young people climbing on the section that you'd have to lead would have to be pretty good anyway, and by that stage would probably want to go to other locations!

The centre have sessions on Thursday nights 7-9p.m. which are instructed.

University of East Anglia Sportspark, Norwich

Level 1

Tel: 01603 592398 website: www.sportspark.co.uk

This is a good wall built to commercial wall standards within a large sports centre. There is plenty of variety in the climbing and the wall is aesthetically pleasing.

You will probably be able to use the GA Level 1 Award; we are currently checking this (25.11.01) and will post the result here.

For details of bookings and groups please call the Sportspark.

The centre offer instructed sessions; however one of the awards they use is the Norfolk CC climbing wall award. Currently this award is not acceptable to the GA as it is not supervised by an MIA/MIC holder. This situation is being addressed - we are approaching the local authority with a view to an MIC holder being appointed, in which case the Norfolk award will become a valid one for GA use.

Greshams School, Holt

Not used

This school has an old brick built wall on the outside that has been listed as a site that the Guide Association use. However, discussions with the school and the GA locally reveal that in fact the wall is hardly ever used by anyone including the school. It was used once only when a camp was held at the school by the GA; but the school don't generally let anyone use it, and don't use it themselves.

Therefore this is not a facility that GA leaders should use at present (nor are likely to); should you need to use it for a specific event please contact Steve Ranger beforehand and we will review the situation.

Roughton Mill, Roughton, nr. Cromer.

Level 1

This is a mill with a 53' tower which has been superbly adapted for abseiling. The setup is run by the local scouts who have instruction available from SPA holders, and some thought has gone into the design of the abseil platforms on the roof of the mill.

Contact: Andrew Keeler 01263 732321

Some instructors have the Norfolk LEA climbing/abseiling award. Currently this award is not acceptable to the GA as it is not supervised by an MIA/MIC holder. This situation is being addressed - we are approaching the local authority with a view to an MIC holder being appointed, in which case the Norfolk award will become a valid one for GA use.

Set up on Mill roof The Mill

The mill is at GR 217393

Eaton Vale Activity Centre, Norwich

Level 1

Church Lane, Eaton, Norwich, NR4 6NN.

Tel: 01603 501228 email: nigel@bowmac.freeserve.co.uk

A large multi-faceted tower on a Scout site. No further information currently (25.11.01).

Great Hautbois House, Coltishall, Norwich

Level 1

This major Guide Association centre was missed out of the website for a long time - apologies. Concentrating on the harder sites to access has meant that some bigger sites have been missed!

Hautbois House has a climbing and abseiling tower with several usable areas. Level 1 instruction is available. The centre is a major Guide Association location, with residential and many other activity facilities.

For more information, please see the Hautbois page in the Girlguiding UK website at:

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/info/outabout/article.asp?sectionid=104&id=121

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