July 2013

How many teenagers would give up their free time to volunteer in the pouring rain? Move a tonne of wood up our steep slope for our shed rebuild? Saw up wood and pot up basil plants? Help us prepare curry for lunch? (one of them even washed up one handed despite injuring his hand!).10 youngsters came to do a days work as part of the Sussex YMCA National Citizenship Scheme for 16 to 17 year old’s to learn new outdoor skills,… Read More »NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP

Our open days are a bit different. Sure we want lots of people to come and see what we are up, but more importantly it’s a chance for the pupils we work with to really get involved and cement the feeling of being part of the team. That sense of belonging and ownership is really important to what we do. In the week leading up to the open day all pupils were asked to chip in to make the place… Read More »PART OF THE TEAM

In November 2011 the building we used as an outdoor classroom was burnt to the ground.  For the past 17 months we have been busy working on a new timber framed building using locally coppiced wood and the frame is now up! We have used sweet chestnut for the majority of the frame. This is abundant in Sussex and has excellent durability and strength with hand made oak pegs to hold it together. The walls will be built using a variety of… Read More »ECO BUILDING BEGINS TO RISE AT THE GARDEN