Supporters fund new tennis court

Following a Cream tea gala on Friday July 15 the Chairman of Lodge Hill Supporters, Mrs. Hilary Tupper, officially cut the tape and opened the newly refurbished tennis court. The new court has multi games markings, new netting and equipment and is available for use by children, young people and adults visiting Lodge Hill.

The ribbon cutting for the official opening of the tennis courts by Chair of Supporters at Lodge Hill Hilary Tupper, the Mayor of Bognor Regis Pat Dillon, and trustees and friends of Lodge Hill. Picture by Graham Franks Photogrpahy SUS-160727-094143001

Mr. Andrew Vivian, the Chair of Trustees, welcomed guests and Supporters, and the CEO Lisa May, gave a brief history of Lodge Hill since it was first leased in 1828 by the Bishop of Chichester on behalf of the Church Commissioners. In 1946 WSCC purchased the Estate to provide educational activities for children and young people, which continues today under the Lodge Hill charitable Trust who raised the funds to purchase the site from WSCC in the late 1990’s.

Lodge Hill is set in a 32 acre woodland site in the heart of the South Downs National Park near Pulborough. The client base is widening rapidly with many extended facilities now inclusive for all abilities. New activities added to the growing list of outdoor experiences available at Lodge Hill include the newly installed ‘sno-tubing’, the ‘multi use games area’ or MUGA and the Adventure Trail.

Jamie Gordon gave a talk on the ChallengeU programme, relaunched in March 2014 which offers a programme for Young People who have become disengaged with society or education. ChallengeU tackles their behavioral and attitude problems by encouraging participation in outdoor activities by setting clear boundaries, a robust structure, fairness and reasonable expectations, whilst also challenging any negative attitudes. Demand for places on these courses is growing rapidly.

The next target for the Supporters of Lodge Hill is to raise £17,750 in 2016 to fund an adapted golf buggy for wheel chair users, so they can be transported to their activities throughout the grounds.