December

December 31st

Joyce Feakins

A sad note to end 2009:  for many years Joyce Feakins of Portsmouth has volunteered at the Centre with her sons, Dave and Steve.  In particular, Joyce and Dave were responsible for looking after our aluminium foil recycling which raised thousands of pounds for the Centre over the years.  Sadly Joyce passed away this week.  Our thoughts are with her family.

December 18th

Happy Christmas

Busy days at the Centre - our new zipwire is being put up this week, bigger and better than before!  The pontoon boat is out of the water having its annual service.  Centre staff have been working on the tunnel system, adding another 15 metres so far this week, and the climbing wall is having a make-over.  It's looking good but you can't see it till its finished.

We recently had an inspection  of our catering facilities and were very pleased to receive an Excellent rating from Eastleigh Borough Council.  Well done to those responsible. 

Finally, signing off for Christmas, and with the snow falling as I write, enjoy this heartwarming little video

best wishes for the holidays from all the staff at QE2 Activity Centre: Phil, Caroline, Pete, Kerry, Graham, Nick and Dan

December 14th

Its that time of year again.  Our regular day groups have stopped for a few weeks and it is time for maintenance and development work to begin.  The big projects for this winter are a new zipwire, a new ropes course and developing the climbing wall.  So there'll be even more for you to do in 2010.

here's a video showing some of what went on last week - there were mince pies, holly wreaths and bonfires as well as tree planting at Manor Farm.

December 10th

  Project Birdhide - Part Two

Back in the summer QE2 Activity Centre, working with our friends & colleagues from HCC Manor Farm Country Park and Groundworks Solent, built a birdhide.  All of the wood for the hide came from the woodland around Manor Farm (except some cladding from Petersfield's Queen Elizabeth Country Park).  So, because some trees had been cut down to build the hide we thought we should plant some more. 

And that's what we've been doing yesterday and today. 400 saplings have been planted by service users and students from HAS Anglesey Lodge, HAS Bassett Avenue, Tauntons College, Forest Edge School, Purbeck Care, and Poole day/club.  But that's not all!  We also found time to put up some fence posts and start to dig a pond!

November

November 23rd  

QE2 Activity Centre staff Kerry, Graham and Nick had an awayday to the River Dart this weekend.  You can see  Graham and Nick on the water, Kerry was holding the camera.  That's Graham at the front in the yellow boat, Nick at the back in the yellow and orange one.  

Its ok, you don't have to do it like this when you come to QE2 Activity Centre - but it's good to know the staff can when they have to!  Here's the movie . . .

November 19^th

community links

Fareham Flower Club and Hedge End Rotary (Breakfast Club) have both adopted the QE2 Activity Centre to be their charity of the year.  We really appreciate the support of community groups like this.  The Bonhomie United Charity Society have just given a generous donation towards our Challenge Course project (to replace the ropes course and zipwire).   Cotswold Outdoor have recently donated climbing equipment. 

Don't forget it is only a couple of weeks to the Christmas Concert.  The Eastleigh Town Band will (once again) be donating their time and their talents to support the QE2 Activity Centre and entertain you at the Salvation Army Hall in Eastleigh - Friday December 4th (tickets only £4.00).

We've also been speaking to the Even Keel project and are planning to work with them in 2010 to provide sailing opportunities on the Hamble River which gives me an excuse to use the picture below.  Here's what they have to say on their website:

Sailing is one of very few sports in which having a physical disability does not have to be a disadvantage. Through its adaptive sailing programme, The Even Keel Project will give both able bodied and disabled people, the opportunity to participate together in a sailing activity that would otherwise be outside their reach.
The projects philosophy stems from the importance of accessibility, the idea of breaking down barriers and creating a fun and functional environment that will increase participation

Contact Even Keel directly to find out how you can get afloat.

November 11^th

Remembrance Day - HMS Cricket

November 5^th

new ropes course and zipwire

Over the winter we're planning to replace the zipwire and have a major revamp of our ropes course.  We're on the lookout for all kinds of things - ropes, poles, scaffold planks, railway sleepers, etc . . . if you think you or your company can help with a donation of materials (or cash!) please contact the Centre.

Two local shipping companies Williams Shipping Marine Ltd and Itchen Marine (Towage) Ltd, both of Southampton, and Warsash based builders FE Chase & Son and local scaffolders Pro-Fix Access Ltd have already donated materials to improve the ropes course.   Thanks!

October

October 31st

. . . happy halloween . . .

two Halloween parties this weekend at the QE2 Activity Centre, one organised by Eastleigh Friends on Friday 30th and a spooky Barn Dance on Saturday 31st organised by MultiSports Club with the Woodsiders.

During the Barn Dance the Multisports Club made a donation to the QE2 Activity Centre of money raised during the Sponsored Walk organised here at Manor Farm Country Park a couple of months ago.  Thanks to everyone who took part in that and thanks to all involved in organising the two parties.

As there are already Christmas trees for sale in Hampshire it must be time to remind everyone about the Christmas Carol Concert on December 4th at Salvation Army hall in Eastleigh with Eastleigh Town Band, tickets only £4.  Contact the Centre for ticket information

October 16th

seal of approval (2)

The seal is back.  Nicknamed variously Sammy, Sarah, Ron (Ron Seal?) and Bob (bob, bob, bob) a seal has been spotted by groups from the QE2 Activity Centre taking part in boat trips on the Hamble River this week. 

So book now for seal spotting trips on the Suntracker pontoon boat! 

what's else is going on?

Here's a date for your diary, this should be interesting.

And don't forget 31st October

Barn Dance at QE2 Activity Centre,

with the Woodsiders

11th October

send her a rose

RIP Murphy, a much loved stray cat who adopted the Centre about 8 years ago and passed away on Sunday

Queen Elizabeth roses burst into bloom at the QE2 Activity Centre this week.  The current spell of unseasonably good weather shows that October is as good a time as any for an activity holiday at the QE2 Activity Centre! 

September

28th September

William, it was really nothing

Looks like we're going to have to wait until spring time for the grand opening of the Bird Hide  - but we're going to have a pretty special guest come to do the honours . . .  you'll have to keep watching this space to find out who!!!  In the meantime watch this video from the day/club.

21st September

Only 94 shopping days until Christmas!

also coming up:  

BARN DANCE

October 31st at QE2 Activity Centre:  with The Woodsiders, tickets only £8 for adults, £5 for youngsters, family tickets available for £24.  Ticket price includes bangers & beanz supper

CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT

December 4th at Salvation Army hall in Eastleigh with Eastleigh Town Band, tickets only £4. 

contact the Centre for ticket information

17th September

another good day at the office

6th September

sponsored walk for Multi Sport Club

Members of Eastleigh's Multi Sports Club took part in a sponsored walk around the Manor Farm Country Park today, learning about the Park's role as HMS Cricket in the period leading up to D-Day.  You can read more about HMS Cricket here.  A good time was had by all and no fences got broken.

August

August 28th

Families Week has just ended, with half a dozen families having an action packed week, taking part in problem solving, shelter building, woodland jewellery making, stream walking, climbing, archery, zipwire, ropes course, canoeing, crabbing, motorboat trip and raft building. 

Although they hadn't met before everyone got along just fine, sharing activities and participating just as much as they wanted to, having an opportunity to try new things and meet new people.

We said goodbye to Katie who has been with us for the summer; Katie is starting a new job with a local special school next week - we wish her well.  That's her with another summer staffer, Mike, in the picture below.

Also congratulations to Abi Oates and Dan Benham who were married last Saturday.  You can see pictures at www.photoboxgallery/frameacademy including very rare ones of Centre manager Phil Oates in a suit and tie.

Left to right: proud dad and Abi; Dan and Abi; Charley, Jinder and Devon - all you need is love

There are some shots of the Centre's ropes course on this video for Devon Sproule's song Good to Get Out (great song, off a great album, out now on Tin Angel)

So that's August.  Bird Hide done.  HAS week done.  Wedding done.  Families Week done. 

What's next?  Sponsored Walk on September 6th.  Better start planning the route.

play dirty                        August 20th

August has been an incredibly busy month, with the bird hide project (can I clarify this: it isn't a bird cage, it isn't a place where you hide birds or birds hide - it is a bird hide, a place where you sit, concealed, and watch birds) the Multi Sports Club and four "short breaks" for families with children with ASD organised in conjunction with Hampshire Autistic Society.  Over a dozen families took part, sharing activities, meeting new people - this is what one family had to say:

There's still lots for us to look forward to in August including another Families Week starting on Monday (not to mention Abi & Dan's wedding on Saturday)

Monday 3rd August - Monday 10th August

Project Birdhide

Ferb, I know what we're gonna do this week!

we’re going to build a bird hide!!

During this week 100 adults with learning disabilities have been part of a team creating a path and building a birdhide at Manor Farm, Botley.  Its not quite finished - but at the rate everyone has been working it should be completed next week.  During the course of the week we have had work teams from Eastleigh, Southampton, Gosport, Portsmouth, Poole and Purbeck.

Support has been given by Hampshire Countryside Rangers and Rights of Way Access Officers, Groundwork Solent and other volunteers – as well as QE2 Activity Centre staff of course. Volunteers from BDO Stoy Hayward and Thomas Eggers spent a day on site to help out.  Financial support has been received from the Baily Thomas Charitable Fund. 

Timber for the build was cut from the woods around Manor Farm as part of a woodland management plan.  Timber cladding came from another Queen Elizabeth Country Park at Petersfield.  the finshed hide will have a thatched roof of reeds cut from within Manor Farm Country Park.  Later on in the year the Green Team will be invited to help replant the area felled to provide the timber with trees donated by Rise Computers.  Also later in the year there will be a grand opening - watch this space for details.

The finished hide will be used as a wildlife survey and education resource accessible to the public and to school groups.  This project has brought together people with a range of skills from a range of backgrounds to create an educational facility for the use of the local community.

See what happened here

July

July 24th

Regatta

On a cloudy, breezy Friday morning teams from Bassett House, Aspin, CRC, Fairhaven, Hope Lodge School and Anglesey Lodge visited QE2 Activity Centre to take part in the first QE2/Hampshire Autistic Society Canoe Regatta.  Following a set of hard fought heats the final was between teams from Bassett, CRC and Hope Lodge.

Bassett took an early lead from the first mark with CRC in hot pursuit.  A late challenge from Hope Lodge was thwarted by an enthusiastic CRC but in the end it was Bassett who won the day - and the Cup.

The event was sponsored by Foreman Homes who provided a barbecue and the Winner's Cup.  Thanks to Graham Foreman and his colleagues; thanks to everyone who took part and thanks to the QE2 staff who worked so hard to make it happen.  And congratulations to Bassett House!

July 21st

coming up soon

July 24th:                QE2 Activity Centre Regatta - organised in conjunction with Hampshire Autistic Society and sponsored by Foreman Homes - a morning of canoe races on the Hamble River with competitors from Anglesey Lodge, Hope Lodge School, Aspin Lodge, Bassett House, Fairhaven and CRC.  Come along and cheer the guys on!

August 3rd:             Project Birdhide - up to 100 adults with learning disabilities will be helping to build a bird hide at Manor Farm.  You can find details elsewhere on the site.

August 7th - 16th:   HAS families week - a dozen families will be taking a short break at the QE2 Activity Centre in conjunction with Hampshire Autistic Society

August 9th:             Barbecue & Swim - at Woodhayes, tickets available here

August 10th:           BDO Stoy Hayward volunteering day

August 24th - 28th: Families week

September 6th:      Sponsored walk - in Manor Farm Country Park.  Come and join Phil & Charley on a 5k (or thearabouts) sponsored walk to raise funds for the Centre

October 31st:          Barn Dance with the Woodsiders - organised by the MultiSports Club - everyone is welcome - details to follow

June

June 29th

seal of approval

spotted on the Upper Hamble River several times this week is this grey seal, a rare visitor to the Solent region

wacky races at QE2 Activity Centre - HAS weekend

Archery at QE2 Activity Centre -  the day/club Poole

June 19th

developing new activities - Kerry goes drag racing;

Eastleigh Town Band, with guest conductor Carla, entertaining us all earlier in the month;

new canoes, thanks to a donation from Cllr Blampied of Hampshire County Council

Rebearth

Rebearth Future Adventure is a Bursledon based clothing supplier with a very sound set of  ethics.  "All business activities carried out in the running of Rebearth Future Adventure will be carried out with environmental sustainability in mind".  Not only that but the QE2 Activity Centre will benefit directly from sales through Rebearth's "Earth Tax"

As part of the Rebearth Future Adventure Ethos of environmental protection and sustainability I have decided to create an Earth tax whereby part of the income generated by Rebearth Future Adventure is invested directly in local organisations and campaigns which support our ethos, it’s nice to share and as they say charity begins at home.

The Beneficiaries of the Rebearth Earth tax for 2008 are

• The QE2 Activity Centre, Manor Farm Country Park, Bursledon, Hampshire.

Having worked with these guys for the past few years, I appreciate that they are an amazing bunch of people totally dedicated to offering people with special needs and disabilities the opportunity to participate in a wide range of outdoor adventure activities in a safe and extremely caring environment. Please visit their website for more information on their fantastic work, all I ask is that you mention Rebearth if you choose to contact them. www.qe2activitycentre.co.uk

• Friends of Lepe Country Park, Lepe, Exbury. Hampshire
• The Marine Conservation Society – Adopt a Beach Scheme

So go buy stuff from http://www.rebearth.co.uk/

June 11th

Neil Smith

Centre staff were saddened to hear of the death of former Secretary to the Management Committee, Neil Smith.   

"such was his personality that those fortunate to have met him rarely forgot his strong character, passion for sport and unmistakable voice."

Neil died at home this morning after a year long battle against lung cancer. 

A Service of Celebration for Neil's life will take place at the Parish Church, Main Road, Colden Common at 4:00 pm on Monday 22nd June and at 5:00 pm Colden Common Park, Boyes Lane, Colden Common. 

No flowers please, but donations can be made to the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre on the day or by sending them to Richard Steel & Partners Ltd, Alderman House, 12-14 City Road, Winchester, SO23 8SG

 

May

games for May at qe2activitycentre

Foreman Homes

Local building company Foreman Homes have recently loaned their skills to help at QE2 Activity Centre.

As you can imagine there is a considerable amount of maintenance needed to keep the Centre at its best so Foreman Homes have volunteered to help with the upkeep. They have started by sending in Roy and Carl to replace the verandas on the log cabins and will continue in this vein with general refurbishment and repair.

Rebecca from Foreman Homes says “I didn’t know this place existed and I’m sure I’m not the only one. We are committed to helping the centre as we feel it is a much needed gem which should be treasured. I have decided to help organise a summer family fun day to raise awareness for such a wonderful place.”

Trip to QE2 Activity Centre May 2009

Taunton’s College - BTEC Skills for Working Life

The Skills for Working  Life course from Taunton’s  went on  a weekend  trip  to  the QE2 centre.  We went on 8^th and 9^th and 10^th of May 2009 .

On the day we got here,  we all unpacked then Phil  took us to the woods and we made a fire.    We then came back and went  to the sports hall. On Saturday we got up at 8 then we left the QE2 centre  at  9 o'clock .

We walked a few miles from the centre to Botley. We were walking through some woods along the River Hamble.   When we were in Botley we went to the shop and bought a few bits e.g. food and stuff, then we went to meet Graham. We ate lunch by the river before we went into our canoes. Then we got into our canoes and we canoed up the River Hamble to Botley Mill.  

After we had canoed down the River Hamble from Botley Mill, we dropped off on the jetty, and got into the centre’s motorboat and cruised along the rest of the river to its mouth.

Some of our thoughts on the weekend:

‘The activity that I like is making a fire with the marshmallows and then we were thinking about what we are going to do for the next day.’

‘I liked being at the QE2 centre because you get to do lots of fun activities and it is good what we did’.

‘I had lots of fun doing the walking and the canoeing and seeing the sights and going down to the mouth of the river.  I enjoyed it and it got me fit but my toes are killing me’.

‘It was a good experience and definitely worthwhile.  It has helped us to learn team skills and has helped us to put our differences aside’.    

Vanessa, Ricky, Karen, Paul, Craig, Pam and Lawrence; Tauntons College, Skills for Working Life

April

living in triangles - by Forest Edge School

 On 27^th April, a very excited group of ten Year 6 pupils and 5 staff left Forest Edge School to go on residential at the QE2 Activity Centre at Bursledon. There was some apprehension amongst the group as we arrived, but all worries were soon dispelled by the warm welcome we received from the staff, not to mention the excitement of ‘living in triangles’ which was the response of more than one pupil when they saw the lodges that would become our home for a week.

The whole week was full of new experiences for the children – not just the activities which ranged from climbing to stream walking and completing a ropes course, but also the challenge of living in a group situation with non-family members.

Inevitably, a holiday such as this brings huge achievements and this was no exception. These included making a sandwich for the first time ever, overcoming a fear of heights to ring the bell at the top of the climbing wall and growing in confidence before our eyes so that a child who was previously unable to walk on different terrains, was running through the woods leading the group by Thursday!

By the end of the week, the whole group was reluctant to leave. During the evaluation session, comments from the children included ‘It has been amazing’ and ‘I'm going to miss the staff because they have teached us so much!’. We all returned to school feeling tired but exhilarated by the fantastic week we had enjoyed thanks to the hard work of all the staff at the QE2 Activity Centre – we will definitely be back! 

Julie, Acting Head Teacher, Forest Edge School

March

March 23rd

Summer has officially started (we don't do winter at QE2 Activity Centre, we go straight from autumn to spring, then early summer followed by late summer - its just better this way).

We've appointed a couple of new staff, welcome aboard Nick and Katy.  They come equipped with enthusiasm and new ideas and we have high expectations of them.

Its been a busy week with residential groups from Castle School and Unity 70, not to mention day groups from ILG, Sunnybrook, Hillcrest, Broadview, Southview, Releasing Potential, People Potential, Robinia, Limington House School, Salterns School, Great Oaks School, Hope Lodge, Anglesey Lodge, Tauntons College and, as they say, many more.  And we have a full house over the weekend so basically its non stop now until September.

Our team of volunteers help keep things moving smoothly.  Pictured right is Richard, one of our volunteers, with the Catch of the Week.  Thanks also to Alice, Aaron, Dave, Joyce, Joy and John who have been in this week to help.

Congratulations to former staff member Emily Weller who has gained a Winston Churchill fellowship.  Emily will be one of the leaders on an expedition to Malawi later in the year.  Well done, Emily, keep us posted.

March 14th

Summer is getting closer: the new tunnel system is just about finished, Groundwork Solent have been in doing some fencing, some of the cabins have been recarpeted, there's new verandas on a couple of cabins too. 

All of the HAS weekend breaks are fully booked now but there are still places on the Transitions Summer Scheme and the Families Week in August. Don't leave it too late!

February

Lots going on at the moment, we're interviewing for new staff, taking bookings, adding even more tunnels to the Ropes Course, planning for another busy year.  And talking to a local Building Company about a sponsorship arrangement.  Still in discussions but look out for a very exciting announcement!  

What a month!  From making snowmen to sitting on the veranda enjoying the sun - all in a matter of weeks.  One of our groups even spotted a seal on the Hamble river last week, just south of our jetty!

Other announcements: 

• Transitions Summer Scheme August 2nd - 7th for young people aged roundabout 16 to 19.  This is going to be a working week in partnership with other organisations.  Building a bird hide, using locally sourced materials: it will be hard work, lots of fun, a real challenge, a real achievement.   

• Family Week in August - Monday 24th to Friday 28th August we'll be holding a week just for families with some shared activities, some activities for individual families

• HAS short breaks - going fast, contact HAS on 023 8063 3951 or e-mail jackie.harvey@has.org.uk

• Abi & Dan have named the day - 22nd August 2009. 

January 2009

Tree planting

There are a lot of people involved in a place like the QE2 Activity Centre ~ all our visitors, our volunteers and staff and behind the scenes a management committee.  The committee is made up of representatives of user groups, representatives of some of the local authorities that support the Centre and other folk with an interest in the work of the Centre. 

At the end of 2008 our long serving Honorary Secretary Neil Smith stepped down and on a cold & rainy January afternoon friends and members of the management committee came together to watch Neil Smith plant a betunia utilis (or Himalayan Birch).  We'd all like to thank Neil for his help and support over the years.

Committee members play an important role in helping to run the Centre.  We are always on the look out for new members.  If you'd like to find out more please contact the Centre.

Happy New Year!

A good start to 2009 with a donation from Churches Together in Hedge End, West End and Botley who raised money for QE2 Activity Centre while holding a Carol Service in Hedge End just before Christmas.  Thanks to everyone involved.  Waitrose in Chandlers Ford also supported QE2 Activity Centre by choosing the Centre as one of their three charities of the month.  Thanks to all their shoppers who also supported us.

Good news, Bad news

Bad news first:  friends of the Centre will be sorry to hear that Emily has left to take up a position with the Forestry Commission.  I'm sure that everyone who worked with her at QE2 Activity Centre - students, service users, visiting staff and Centre staff - will join me in wishing her well in her new post and thanking her for her contribution to the work of the Centre.

Now the good news, Graham Marks will be joining the Centre as a full time member of staff.  Graham worked with us a freelance instructor during 2008, after completing a Degree in Watersports Studies & Management at Solent University.  Welcome aboard, Graham.

Another bit of news . . . Abi and Dan got engaged!  Congratulations!!