Quarry Launch is Mission Impossible
Cutting a ribbon has rarely been so exciting. Watched by guests from across Cornwall and beyond, students on an Entry into Employment scheme battled against pirates and a variety of physical challenges to deliver a pair of giant scissors to Olympic Gold Medallist Ed Coode.
(Left) John Mifflin, from Helston, negotiates a rope bridge on a BMX bike
(right) Samuel Steggles sprints up the climbing wall
With the well known Mission Impossible theme tune and claps from their audience urging them on, the team of young people rode a mountain bike across a rope bridge, floated a raft, canoed, jumped across stepping stones, climbed a wall and finally soared down a zip wire to get the scissors to the guest-of-honour. Meanwhile pirates – or rather pupils from Coverack School near Helston masquerading as pirates – did their best to ambush them.
Steve Woodmansey, from The Lizard, leaps across the stepping stones whilst the Coverack ‘pirates’ do their best to stop him
As a showcase for the sort of activities that BF Adventure – formerly known as the Bishop’s Forum - offers to a wide variety of young people, businesses and families, the launch of the charity’s new Goodygrane quarry adventure facility couldn’t have been better.
Olympian Ed Coode, who was born and brought up in Cornwall, was certainly impressed.
‘That display took my breath away,’ he told the assembled crowd. ‘Like everything about this new quarry facility, it was extraordinary.’
Funded by a £190,000 grant from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) administered by Natural England, the disused granite quarry has been transformed into a haven combining outdoor education and challenges with environmental protections.
There are rope bridges, gravelled walkways, a climbing wall, a purpose-built platform for the zip wire known as the departure lounge and stepping stones across the lake. As an Access for All project, the quarry can also be used by everyone, whatever their physical limitations.
As well as celebrating its formal opening, staff, guests and young people were also celebrating the gift of half the current 60 acre site near Longdowns. Hanson, one of the world's largest suppliers of heavy building materials to the construction industry, has just donated the land to BF Adventure. Formal exchange of the deeds took place during the launch and an official plaque was unveiled.
John Bown (right), Land and Planning Manager for Hanson with Tony Hogg and Ed Coode (centre)
‘I’m enormously grateful to Natural England for providing the grant which made this quarry transformation possible and to Hanson for giving us the land,’ said Tony Hogg, the charity’s Chief Executive. ‘Since being established 18 years ago, our organisation has helped thousands of young people build their confidence and self esteem through outdoor activity and challenge. Now, with this wonderful new facility and the continued dedication and commitment of our expert team of staff and volunteers, we are able to expand what we offer to even more individuals, organisations, schools and businesses.’
Eighteen year old Scott Costello, from Leedstown, was one of those taking part in the opening spectacle. He is on an Entry into Employment (E2E) scheme and has been spending a day a week with BF Adventure since early May.
‘It’s a great place and I feel very lucky to be here,’ he said. ‘E2E helps you with CVs and gives you the experience and confidence you need to get jobs. I want to go into the RAF and the things I’ve been learning all help with that. I like abseiling and climbing most.’
Seventeen year old Livvy Julian, from Helston, was the young person who delivered the giant scissors to Ed Coode by flying down a zip wire. Her dramatic arrival was all the more impressive given that she is afraid of heights.
Livvy Julian makes her entrance with guests and their families watching the opening unfold
‘I was very nervous and excited about doing it but the instructors here are brilliant at encouraging you to overcome challenges and building your confidence,’ she said. ‘I’m doing lots of things I would never have done if I hadn’t come here.’
Ed Coode, who won two rowing World Championships before winning a gold medal in the men’s coxless four in Athens 2004, spent a long time chatting to the young people – even signing Scott Costello’s shirt.
The team involved in getting the scissors to Ed Coode
‘It’s very clear that BF Adventure provides excellent opportunities for personal development through the medium of outdoor activities,’ he said. ‘I’ve been extremely impressed by everything I’ve seen and feel very honoured and privileged to have been invited to the opening of this amazing new quarry.’
For further details about BF Adventure, call 01326 340912 or visit www.bishopsforum.org
Pictures by Bernie Pettersen
