I think it’s fair to say the campsite has had a very busy year!! With several interrupted years now behind us, it’s been fantastic to see large numbers of young people on site, enjoying the facilities, activities and environment the campsite offers.
Our year got off to a flying start, with over 35 people and an assortment of dogs venturing out on a crisp morning for our annual New Years’ Day walk. Our walkers also managed to plant out 50m of hedgerow and various trees around site.
February saw our Rise and Shine Day, with a number of Scouts, Explorers and Leaders joining us for a workday, getting things done around site in preparation of the year head. This included planting out the remaining trees donated to us by the Woodland Trust.
February also saw Loughborough University SCOGUI staying with us on site for a camp and repainting the inside of the Alpine Hut. We followed this on by replacing the floor covering and installing a projector and sound system, so the Alpine Hut had a completely new look for the start of the season, and is now an ideal space for those just wanting to hire a meeting room.
The second phase of the toilet refurbishment was completed in March, with the toilets being ready for the start of the new season. They are a great improvement, and it wouldn’t be the Oaks without the use of green and yellow in the colour scheme. I must say a huge thank you to Paul for his effort on this project.
The Spring and Summer months were very busy, with both buildings booked out most weekends, and campers out on the main field. Some weekends we’ve had 300 campers on site with us. It’s to the credit of our willing volunteers that we managed to fulfil every booking, including those made for mid-week evening visits. We were pleased to welcome several groups from further afield, who chose to camp us for their annual week-long summer camps. All of the activities have been well booked, with the Jungle Trail proving very popular on summer evenings.
October saw the return of the Oaks Shooting and Archery competition. This was well supported, with Scouts, Explorers and Leaders taking part in the competition. The bad storms and winds in October had an effect and we had a very large oak tree come down near the workshop yard. Unfortunately, we’ve not yet managed to retrieve the trailer it landed on and are still in the process of removing the tree to assess the full damage caused, but it is a reminder of the power of Mother Nature.
Over the year, our volunteers have been busy, doing the regular maintenance tasks needed to keep the site at its best and running the shop to keep our campers stocked with their goodies. The main field has been harrowed and regularly mowed over the summer, vegetation pruned, trees trimmed etc. Our permanent tomahawk range is now up and running, with the fixed backboard being erected over the summer, again thanks to SCOGUI. It’s great to see this new activity in full swing and it is already proving very popular with our campers. The climbing tower was closed in August to allow us to carry out a major overhaul. Thanks to Pip and his team, works are progressing well, and we look forward to having the tower back in use next season, with the addition of an abseiling facility, which will allow us to offer a new activity. Our new activities badges, and extended merchandise have proved a hit in the shop, and we now accept payment by card.
The Monday Maintenance Team have been busy, doing maintenance and jobs around the site. They’re a friendly bunch and would welcome new members. If anyone has a couple of hours to fill on a Monday morning, and enjoys coffee and cake, then spread the word and join them. No skills needed, just a willingness to join in.
Over the year the externals of both the Clarke Hut and Alpine Hut were redecorated, major tree works were completed, new fencing erected around the climbing tower, and we replaced both the accessible and staff showers. The list of jobs completed is really impressive, and all the of works have benefitted the site and its visitors. There is rarely an idle moment, and we enlist help from Explorers where possible, and are keen to continue to do so.
We’re already looking at plans for 2024, the main aims being the repair/overhaul of the jungle trail, replacement of the failing window shutters on the Clarke Hut, replacing the rotten/removed play fort, upgrading the ladies toilets, replacing the ride on mower and replacing the antique kitchen in the service hut. However, all will need time and additional people if we are to progress everything planned.
2023 saw us welcome several new volunteers. Sarah, Sammi, Sarah, James and Jonathan have joined the warden teams, helping out across their various weekends, and Iska, Ian and Mark have joined us on the activity’s teams. SCOGUI have also provided valuable help over the year. However, we can use whatever time people can give to us, be it with general maintenance, specific projects, activity instructors or just help looking after our campers. Could I ask you all to spread the word, sell the site and let us know of any interests, so we can follow up. The campsite can’t operate without volunteers.
2024 is a big year for The Oaks. The 18th of March 1974 is significant as the date of our owning the whole 19 acre site we have today. So, the Oaks will be 50 in 2024!! To commemorate the event, we will be producing a celebration badge. We’ve been running a badge design competition with all sections for our young people over the Autumn. The entries will be judged, and winner selected before Christmas. We’re very pleased to invite Janet Voce to judge the entries, Janet was the designer of the original Oaks badge. We’re planning an event in the summer to celebrate, for those past and present, so keep a look out for the further details.
Finally, to all those of you that have or continue to give your time and support to the campsite, a big thank you and I hope to see you all in the New Year, ready for the new season.
I hope you and your families have a great Christmas and New Year.
Phil
