New climbing wall in Essex

Posted by on 23/10/2006

Climbing legend Johnny Dawes officially opened a new indoor climbing wall in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex on Saturday 21 October.

The facility has been installed in South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre - a joint use centre which is shared by the community and William de Ferrers school. It is seven metres high, has nine belay points and includes a number of different routes, to cater for different ages and abilities.

Speaking at the opening Johnny commented, “It’s always good to see new walls being developed. I wish there had been a facility like this nearby when I was a kid so I could have had the opportunity to learn and develop in a safer environment.”

A joint use agreement has been arranged between the school and South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre, which is managed by Chelmsford Borough Council. This will allow the wall to be used by the school and the local community.

Councillor Christopher Kingsley, Chelmsford Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, said, “Until now, there have been limited opportunities locally for people wanting to take up indoor climbing. We hope that people will make the most of this fantastic new facility by coming along to try it.”

William de Ferrers School’s Head of PE, Mike Campbell, commented, “Hopefully this wall will capture a young audience of enthusiasts. It will allow our students to try something they may not otherwise have got the opportunity to try”.

Anyone interested in setting up a climbing club, or going along to one of the regular public sessions that will be offered, should contact the Centre on 01245 605600 for more information. Alternatively people can visit the Centre’s website.

The project to build the wall was initiated by the Rotary Club of South Woodham Ferrers to mark the Rotary’s centenary last year, and has been successfully developed in partnership with William de Ferrers School and Chelmsford Borough Council. Funding has also come from Essex County Council’s “Community Initiative Fund” and the National Lottery’s “Awards for All”.

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LINKS

http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/swflc

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