Children will once again enjoy camping and games on a field in Nettlestone, thanks to the team behind a new Island charity – ‘The Haven, IOW’
A field with history
The Bucks School Camp Association field (also known as ‘the Scout Field’) on Eddington Road, Nettlestone has hosted children for camping holidays and adventures since the 1930s. But since the pandemic it has been largely unused, and the owners wanted to hand on this charitable asset to others with a vision to benefit local children and young people.
Three years in the making
After three years of negotiation, the Charity Commission has formally agreed its transfer to ‘The Haven, Isle of Wight’, and it can now be used to benefit Island young people and the wider community.
This six-and-a-half-acre field still has the necessary infrastructure, and The Haven will be finding ways to upgrade and modernise the facilities. The site is on the number 8 bus route, and is within walking distance of local villages and beautiful places such as Priory Bay and St Helens Duver.
Haven Trustee Rose Gillett said,
“We are very excited that this amazing field can once again be a place where young people can explore, relax and play. Our main priority now is to involve and consult our local community in how we manage this amazing community resource.”
A legacy that lives on
Brian Pell, one of the Trustees of the Buckinghamshire Schools Camp Association said,
“Generations of Buckinghamshire children have had a wonderful time and built confidence and resilience and great friendships though camping on the Isle of Wight.
“We are delighted that the Bucks School Camp legacy will continue and a wide range of young people can now benefit from this field. We wish The Haven every success in the future, and we will always be grateful for the welcome the Island gave us.”
Haven Trustee Andrew Bradstock said,
“We would never have achieved the transfer of the field if it wasn’t for the support of a wide team of expertise. We’ve had pro bono support from charity lawyers and planning consultants, and we are thrilled that we can now welcome the community in to get involved.
“Thank you to Bucks and everyone who has helped us to secure this field for the community, and we look forward to working with the community to ensure it provides much needed benefit for local young people.”
Share your memories – and your ideas
Many local people have strong memories of the camps, when the campers would be woken up by a bugle every morning, and visits would be made to local beaches and beauty spots. The Haven are keen to gather stories and memories of the old days, as well as ideas and suggestions for the field’s future use.
Anyone who would like to fill in the consultation form can complete it online or on the website.
The consultation includes questions about possible uses, including community growing spaces and orchards, camping and nature connection facilities, community events and groups who might use it, as well as parking and other facilities.
The Haven are also exploring making the field a digital device-free physical space, where people of all ages can re-connect with themselves, each other, and nature. One popular plan is to establish a permissive path around the boundary, to enable safe movement between Nettlestone and the footpaths to Seaview and St Helens.
Donations to the project are most welcome and can be made via the website. These will help cover vital renovation and set up costs.
Come and celebrate
Everyone is invited to a community picnic at the field on Saturday 4th July from 12 noon – 2.00 pm, as part of the Biosphere Festival. This will include an official handover from Bucks School Camp and the opening of the field by the High Sheriff of the Island, Nigel Hartley MBE. Bring a picnic and a folding chair.
Parking will be available in the field, which is in Eddington Road, Nettlestone, PO34 5DZ – what3words – breakfast.noun.saucepan
Anyone who would like to get involved, because they have a group who may like to use the field, or they have skills or time to volunteer, are encouraged to email [email protected]
News shared by Andrew on behalf of The Haven, IOW. Ed
