Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre. Learn to sail in Bournemouth & Christchurch.

4th September 2009

Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre Update

At a special Cabinet meeting of Bournemouth Council on the 20th August, Brockenhurst College was selected to take over the running of the HHOEC with effect from 1st September 2009. From Easter 2010, Brockenhurst College will offer the public water sports including sailing, kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing together with other outdoor activities such as field studies, rock climbing and safety and rescue training.

There will be an expansion of water sports courses offered including Canadian Canoeing, Day Skipper Certificate (RYA), Kayaking and Yachtmaster and navigation courses.

The College will invest £100,000 to undertake repairs and maintenance to the building following the grant of a 25-year lease. As part of the agreement, Brockenhurst College will work closely with the local community and will set up a consultative committee to discuss plans, courses, equipment and other ideas for the Centre. A place on this committee will be offered to members representing the education and youth service, local school users, voluntary clubs using the Centre, the Community Interest group and Leisure Services, in addition to a local councillor.

Paul Clarke, Managing Director of the Hengistbury Centre CIC, said: ”Whilst we are naturally disappointed that we were unsuccessful in our bid to run the Centre, we are proud that our enthusiasm and determination alongside the Bournemouth Schools Sailing & Canoeing Association and our combined supporters, have stopped the Council from closing the Centre down with no plan in place for the future provision of watersport instruction in Bournemouth.”

“We would like to thank the hundreds of supporters who signed petitions, wrote to their local councillors and to those who pledged financial support by way of donations and our debenture issue. All money given to the CIC has now been returned, but the Community Interest Company will continue to carry on its work within the community. We intend to be involved with the consultative committee that will advise Brockenhurst College so that we can maintain our role as ‘custodians’ of the Centre”.

Paul Clarke, Mark Merritt, Adam Hobbs, Bill Howlett, Lyn Moreland & Nigel Cook
Directors, Hengistbury Centre, CIC