Congratulations to our hardy team of 12 trainees who took to the Lake District in July and completed their assessed expedition in the Eskdale Valley.
All twelve Bronze and Silver trainees passed their expedition, battling through rain and muddy bridleways to arrive at Wasdale Head to finish. The trainees all undertook walks in rainy weather, through bogs of mud to make it to the end over the three-day expedition.
For the Bronze group, the walk proved to challenge their skills in advanced terrain. The Silver Group put their experience to the test as they walked along the Walna Scar Road and around Wasdale Head, the base camp for Sca Fell. Both groups focused their project on outdoor activities in the Lake District and visited the Outward Bound centre to conduct some research and be inspired by the adventures undertaken from there.
Sore feet aside, all trainees were felt accomplished by the end, to have undergone such a physical and emotional challenge and succeeded.
There’s not long yet until our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver candidates descend upon the Lake District!
On Sunday, the two groups took to Epping Forest to practise their navigation skills and freshen up their micro-navigation in preparation for their assessed expedition, which will take place in Eskdale near Scafell Pike (England’s highest peak). Both groups spent their day in the forest pacing, taking compass bearings to walk on, finding stream junctions, ponds and old forts and developing their map memory. Both groups did very well to find all the features they were asked to and finding their way back whenever they did get lost.
All that’s left is for both groups to finalise their route cards, plan their menus and buy their food and they will be expedition-ready. They will take lessons learned about food, kit and navigation to find their way round the Eskdale Valley in just two weeks’ time.
If you are or will be in Year 9 or above (aged 14+) and are interested in joining our next cohort for Duke of Edinburgh Award, please contact Will for information about enrolling in September.
Come and try the activities at our Open Day on Saturday 24 June, 10.30 – 4.00.
There will be photo displays and refreshments as well as the opportunity to get involved in sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, bell boating, climbing and high ropes.
Adults £5.00 Children £2.50
Sessions available for juniors (5-8), young people (9-18) and adults (over 18). All participants for canoeing, kayaking and sailing must be able to swim and be confident in deep water. All young people must have a signed parental consent form to take part in activities.
We will also be having the official opening of our brand new Thames Slipway at 11.30, which will increase opportunities to use the River Thames at all states of the tide.
Hope you can join us! For further information please give us a call on 020 7481 4210 or email us at info@shadwell-basin.org.uk
Join us for five weeks of fun and exciting activities this summer. We will be running a programme of mixed outdoor activities for 9-18 year olds from Monday 31 July until Friday 1 September (Monday – Fridays). Session times are 10.30 – 1.00 & 2.00 – 4.30.
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis each day. Weekly places can be booked on Monday mornings, registration opens at 9.30.
Activities cost £5.00 per day or £20.00 per week.
You will need to have a completed parental consent form to take part in the activities, these can be downloaded from the Youth Activities page on the website or can be picked up from the Centre Reception.
Please give us a call on 020 7481 4210 or drop us an email at info@shadwell-basin.org.uk for further information.
It’s not long now until our Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh trainees attempt their assessed expeditions in the Lake District!
Back in April, the Bronze and Silver groups embarked on their practice expeditions in the Edale Valley, Peak District and put their navigation skills to the test.
The whole group set out with four members of staff a couple of days before their expedition for an intensive two days of route planning, navigation training, shopping and equipment sessions before taking their first independent steps as a group, with just their map and route cards to guide them.
On Day One of their practice expedition, the Silver group struggled through the weather to climb Lose Hill and then walk down to Hollins Cross and Mam Tor. Bags were heavy and feet were weary, yet the group persevered to make it to their campsite at Upper Booth. Meanwhile, the Bronze group walked their way around the bottom of Mam Tor to meet the Silver group at Upper Booth for their next day’s adventure up Jacob’s Ladder to Kinderscout.
The second day saw both groups try to take on Kinderscout despite the rainy weather and persistent wind. Despite the groups’ admirable effort and them all making it up Jacob’s Ladder, the decision was made to descend because of the adverse weather and use the experience as yet another lesson of the importance of good kit and group equipment, especially group shelters.
The group finished their expedition with relieved smiles on all their faces. Over the course of the five days, the group learned a lot of skills in a practical way; they learned as they walked, which proved very successful. The group now take the lessons learned from the Peaks to take on the Lakes this July, hoping for better weather and more waterproof clothing (just in case!).
Over the half-term, eight young people and two staff went away paddling at Matlock (Peak District) on the River Derwent for two days. This was the young people’s first taste of white water and an opportunity for them to put the skills from their training sessions on the Basin and on the Thames to the test. The river was running pretty low, but this didn’t stop the paddlers from having a good time. They got to try out ferry gliding, breaking in and out, some stern dips and even a few Eskimo rolls. They enjoyed running the sections of rapids forwards and backwards. Aside from kayaking, the young people also got to try out a bit of swimming down the river and a couple of rope swings found along the way.
The two slalom trainees for the Youth Games found the opportunity to train on the slalom course at Matlock invaluable, and no doubt this contributed to their impressive achievements of individual silver and bronze medals in their categories.
The trip was a great success and all young people had a fantastic time; even the forgotten tent poles and pegs weren’t enough to dampen their spirits. They also had a good time bonding with the peacocks who live on-site at the Barn Farm campsite as well as the resident herd of cows.
Congratulations to our slalom and sprint teams for their efforts in the London Youth Games kayaking events!
Congratulations to Joe, Ellie, Louis, George, Jake, Alexandra, Ashley and Sophie!
Congratulations to Connor, Julia, Alexander and Simone!
Cirrus Senior Male: Ashley – 8th
Cirrus Senior Female: Sophie – 10th
Cirrus Junior Male: Jake – Gold
Cirrus Junior Female: Alexandra – 7th
Lightning Junior Male: Joe – 5th
Lightning Junior Female: Ellie – 4th
Junior (male): Connor – Silver
Junior (female): Julia – Bronze
Senior (male): Sasha – 5th
Senior (female): Simone – 9th
We are looking to appoint a person who will be responsible for coordinating the Inclusion Project at the Centre by developing this successful project further. This post is as a 1 year contract.
The post will be based on a 35 hour week but will involve flexible working, including some evenings and weekends.
Due to the nature of the work the post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Salary NJC SCP 19-21 £22,218 – £23,610 (inc Location Allowance) depending on qualifications and experience.
Closing date Friday 24 March 2017. Interviews will be held in the last week of March 2017.
If you are interested in applying for the post please contact us for an application form on
info@shadwell-basin.org.uk
The Centre is seeking to appoint a co-ordinator to be responsible for maintenance of the buildings, craft and ancillary equipment and to coach in the activities programme. We are looking for an enthusiastic, hard working and experienced instructor with a range of NGB qualifications in sailing, canoeing and rowing who will play an active role coaching sessions and fulfil the responsibilities of RYA Principal.
Full job Description PDF.
The post will be based on a 35 hour week but will involve flexible working, including some evenings and weekends.
Due to the nature of the work the post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Salary NJC SCP 22-24 £24,135 – £25,437 (inc Location Allowance) depending on qualifications and experience.
Closing date Monday 6 March 2017
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 8 or Thursday 9 March 2017.
For application information contact:
Centre Co-ordinator, 3-4 Shadwell Pierhead, Glamis Road, London E1W 3TD. Or email: information@shadwell-basin.org.uk
Shadwell is a multi-activity Centre located on the banks of the Thames in East London that provides outdoor activities for the whole community.
Shadwell Basin is committed to equality of opportunity – Registered Charity No.293475
The group flew from Kathmandu and begun the trek in Lukla. The Trek passed through Phakding, Monjo, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and finally Gorakshep prior to summiting the Himalayan peak of Kala Patthar in the Everest Valley. It was a great achievement for the group of eight young people and the four Shadwell staff members.
“It was such an amazing journey being surrounded by the worlds giant mountains and finally the view of Everest itself from Kala Patthar, although physically and mentally draining”.
The young people battled fatigue and minor illnesses at times in the altitude however were generally fit and healthy. “Well done to them for the training prior to the trip and their success on their expedition”.
As we returned from the summit the stunning Ama Dablam towers up from the cloud base below.
An unforgettable view as the sun sets over the region.
We established a link with Monjo Primary School in the Himalayan village of Monjo. The group members and Centre staff completed a community project there to develop the playground and PE facilities. The children also receive school equipment to enhance learning and clothing to keep warm in the cold mountainous conditions making it easier for them to focus on their lessons.
Here is a picture of the Kala Patthar Challenge Team and the young people of the school after they received their down jackets and school bags filled with stationary and other items. The team taught lessons in English, Mathematics, Art’s and crafts, Football, Skipping, Team Games and a sports racing challenge.
The group have been fundraising and training for the expedition for a year and completed their last training trip to Snowdon in September. Following in the footsteps of the very first Everest expedition, the team climbed up Snowdon via the ridge of Lliwedd, enjoying the fantastic views from the top.
Details of the expedition
The expedition will trek from Lukla to Kala Patthar on an epic journey reaching 5,555 metres. The group of eight 15 to 18 year olds will spend 22 days from October to November 2016 walking in the Everest Valley. During the trek they will learn about the region, its people and the environment.
We have also established a link with Monjo Primary School in the Himalayan village of Monjo. The group members and Centre staff will complete a community project there to develop the playground and PE facilities. The children will also receive school equipment to enhance learning and clothing to keep warm in the cold mountainous conditions making it easier for them to focus on their lessons.
The young people on the challenge will have an adventure of a lifetime , most definitely have a life changing experience and then be in a position to inspire others. On return from the expedition they will visit local schools and present the project to other young people.
A massive thank you to all our sponsors and those that donated money towards this successful expedition and to those that helped but did not go on this amazing adventure. We did it for all of you.
Thank you.