This petition will be sent to Worcestershire county council as a means of trying to get them to reconsider their plans to pull out of funding to save the centre. It will be such a loss not only for the staff based in LOEC, but for the experiences future children of Worcestershire will miss.

What will really help is your emails to County Council too! Please email the following people and give them your reasons to keep LOEC. If you would like a blanket letter please contact me, but your individual views would be greatly appreciated!

gquinton@worcestershire.gov.uk Gail Quinton Director of Children services

EEyre@worcestershire.gov.uk Liz Eyre Children's Services Councillor

THaines@worcestershire.gov.uk Trish Haines Chief Executive of WCC

AIHardman@worcestershire.gov.uk Adrian Hardman Children's Services Councillor

Llanrug Outdoor Education Centre (LOEC) is at the risk of closure due to inadequate funding. The centre offers a range of activities which provide limitless benefits to all its participants in a fantastic setting in North Wales. Currently a number of schools, outdoor groups and the general public make use of the centre. The centre caters for educational groups and also has a self catering annexe for hire so that as many people as possible can experience the great surroundings of North Wales. Approximately 1500 young people from around 38 primary, secondary and special schools across Worcestershire make use of suchfantastic resources the centre provides.

As someone who has a passion for the outdoors and has experienced a number of activity weeks with a Worcestershire school, I cannot express in words how strong my feelings are for this matter. The week is the highlight of the year for many children in Worcestershire; this is proved by the number of returning year upon year. It goes without saying the staff and instructors at the centre are second to none. Their knowledge, experience and friendliness cannot be matched and it would be such a shame as their passion is obviously getting young people into the outdoors.

For some people in the field the value of outdoor education programs is self-evident and requires no further justification or proof. However OFSTED has reported that there has been a recent decline in OAA for children. OFSTED also believe that there are a lot of benefits associated with OAA, by and large they suggest OAA can contribute to a pupil’s personal and social development. Surely if Worcestershire County Council want to provide the best education for their children keeping a resource such as this is vital.

Check out a promotional video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A02QkPCG-g

Thanks Becky Day

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