Crate-stacking Activity

Thanks to a generous grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund the crate-stack activity is now up and running at White Hall.

Here’s what some of the children thought of it,

“That was so much fun, the anticipation of the crates falling made my heart race with excitement and nerves.”

“I loved that, the higher we went the higher I wanted to go.”

“Now that is something I've never done before, but I've always wanted to after seeing it on YouTube.”

“It was really scary but I'm proud of how high I got the crates.”


And here is what their teacher thinks about it,

“WOW! What can I say, the children loved it.

From a teacher/staff/school point of view; we loved it and thought it was a really valuable activity as it involved all of the group all of the time., nobody was stood watching. It was a great activity for encouraging teamwork, as the task depended on all aspects of the activity being completed for it to be successful. It developed communication skills like no other activity the children have participated in as everyone was suddenly talking to each other whilst they planned their task and roles. The children developed their confidence with heights at a good pace, a pace that allowed them to become confident with the new height before they climbed even higher. The activity was exceptional in allowing children to direct and lead their groups learning - children appeared to respond really well to their peers - which was great for developing the children's confidence in leadership skills. Respect was also evident throughout this activity as all children were responding to each other and a passion for adventure was clearly evident as there was so much laughter within the group. The only negative was that the children did not want to finish the activity.”

(Jo Lenthall, Primary teacher)


Thanks again to the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund.

 

      

 

 

Storage Space
The purchase of the SUPs and the crate-stacking activity caused problems of storage. Thanks again to the grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund the Centre has been able to purchase ‘flat pack’ storage space to accommodate all the extra equipment.

Wet Suits

The purchase of the SUPs has resulted in more water-based activities being offered. Wet suits were therefore in short supply.

We are happy to report that the Centre has been able to purchase more wet suits thanks to a grant of £500 from the Derbyshire County Council, Councillor Initiative Fund, courtesy of councillor Jean Wharmby.

 

 
The White Hall Wiggle 2024

The ‘Wiggle’ multi-terrain race was held April 2024, starting and finishing at White Hall Centre. The Friends of White Hall Centre and the Thomas Theyer Trust jointly organized the event.
The race was run over 6.5 miles, with 1364 ft of ascent, or, for the Europhiles among us, 10.46 Km and 416m, respectively.
The event was a great success, with 44 runners on the day. Entrants were of all ages and came from far and wide.

Howdens Kitchens of Buxton funded the prizes.

The event raised £1,006 which was split between the two charities.

 

 

         

 

     

Access for All

 

As a charity The Friends of White Hall Centre exists to offer every child in Derbyshire the opportunity to learn the skills they need to enjoy outdoor pursuits and feel safe and confident in our countryside.

This includes the removal of barriers to young people, (especially those with SEND), accessing outdoor education programmes at the Centre.

 

The charity has successfully raised funds for the following: 

 

Kite Harnesses
Thanks to a grant of £2000 from Foundation Derbyshire, https://foundationderbyshire.org/, we have been able to purchase two kite harnesses for use at the Centre.

Kite harnesses enable people with significant disability to access equipment and places which are normally beyond them. They are routinely used for kite surfing, but at White Hall are being used for wheelchair users to enable access to e.g. the high ropes course or local crags.

 

See the photograph and testimonial from one satisfied customer.

Mobile shower Trolley

To assist with the intimate care needs of people with specific disabilities.

Thanks go to Foundation Derbyshire https://foundationderbyshire.org/  for a grant of £1,900

Mobile Hoist

 

To assist the movement of children with disabilities.

Thanks to a grant from the True Colours Trust, https://www.truecolourstrust.org.uk/  of £7000

Hoist in action with a willing staff member

Pulley and Carabiner

 

To create pulley systems to support young people who have limited mobility.

All-Terrain Wheelchair

This specialist chair is designed for rough ground, uneven trails and steep terrain, allowing wheelchair users to access woodland paths, fields and off-road environments, directly increasing access to outdoor activities.

This was partly funded by trustee Eddie Liles and his pal Freddie Bartholomew who ran the ‘Race to the Base’ trail half marathon in the North West Highlands in May 2026.

Hardship Fund  

We have been awarded a grant from the Bingham Trust, https://binghamtrust.org.uk/,  who have given £4,600 to support disadvantaged young people from the SK17 postcode area  to attend residential stays at the centre.

A group of year 5 students from St.Peter’s School, Fairfield attended the Centre in March 2026  for a 3 day/ two night residential stay.

As this was considered a ‘pilot’, outcomes were assessed with a pre, and post stay questionnaire.  Results were very encouraging and a significant number of students reported:

 

• Increased confidence

• Greater resilience

• Independence

• Overcoming fear of heights

• Learning practical skills (e.g., tent building, zip wiring)

 

Abseiling was the activity that most feared, but was the most popular, and many wanted to do it again.

 

Rewilding project at White Hall Outdoor Education Centre.

 

    

An intensively farmed sizeable upland meadow, (3.25 hectares approx.), adjacent to the Centre has been returned to the Centre for management. The Centre’s aspiration is to bring it back to nature and re-wild it.
This is to be done with the assistant of groups who visit the centre, particularly schoolchildren.
The cost of the project does not come within the budget of the Centre, so they have called upon the help the ‘Friends of White Hall Centre’ charity. The Charity is more than happy to help as the project is very much in line with it’s own environmental objectives.
The charity has bid for funds from Derbyshire County Council and High Peak Borough Council to contribute to the anticipated cost of the project (£5K total) and the Councils have pledged £1500 to date.
The project is being conducted with expert advice from local wildlife experts and Buxton Field Club.

The rewilding project involves.

• The removal of invasive species and replanting hedges and trees with native species
• Digging wader scrapes • Making and siting of bird boxes, bat boxes and duck tubes.
• Low impact grazing: (small number of sheep, summer only)
• Siting bird feeders in trees around field.
• Bracken bashing: Take groups onto the slopes of Combs moss to pull bracken and small trees.
• Building observation hides around edges of field (2 or 3):

Visiting youngsters are involved from the outset of the project, enriching their outdoor experience activity.
Under guidance and supervision, the children will be involved in the rewilding and then any ongoing care and attention of the area. The funds that have been raised to date have been used to provide small tools such as trowels and the materials for bird boxes and feeders.

Councillor Ruth George commented.
“I had a lovely visit, and it was great to see the children learning about our local wildlife and getting stuck into creating the wader scrape. Many had never used a spade before, but they quickly got the hang of it and can be really proud of what they have helped to create. It’s a brilliant project that I and other councillors are pleased to have been able to support.”

 
1933 Everest Expedition display and information at White Hall Outdoor Education Centre.

We have created a display in memory of Sir Jack Longland and the 1933 Everest Expeditions
Jack Longland was an exceptionally talented climber and mountaineer and during the 1933 Everest expedition he demonstrated great leadership and courage when he led eight Sherpas down from Camp Six near the summit at 8350 metres (27,400ft) in White-out conditions.
Sir Jack subsequently had a career in education and among his many achievements, as Derbyshire Director of Education in 1951 he established White Hall Outdoor Education Centre, the country's first local authority Outdoor Pursuits Centre for young people.

Picture of Sir Jack Longland along with The Duke of Edinburgh.

 To read more of the story, Click:-

Sir Jack’s family have kindly donated his clothing and equipment used in the 1933 exhibition and this is displayed alongside modern-day mountaineering equipment for contrast and comparison.
The family have also made a generous donation to the ‘Friends of White Hall Centre’ charity for purchase of a suitable display case.

 

 

The modern equipment has been donated by the Outdoor Sports Company, the parent company of ‘Mountain Equipment’.
The display is in the Centre’s briefing room to ensure it has maximum exposure to all White Hall’s visitors.
Approximately 10,000 children and adults visit White Hall each year, and it is hoped the display will increase their awareness of Sir Jack Longland, his connection to Derbyshire, and his mountaineering achievements. It may also inspire them to follow in his footsteps.