A Grand Opening
The start of a new chapter
Over a hundred people gathered at The Haven field in Nettlestone last Saturday to see the High Sheriff, Nigel Hartley MBE, declare it officially open.
The opening was part of the Island’s Biosphere Festival, and the trustees had invited everyone to bring a picnic and look around the field and its buildings.
More than 120 came, with many taking the opportunity to share their stories of when the Bucks Schools Camp Association owned the field and brought young people over for camping holidays.
Children who came to the opening enjoyed sheltering from the heat in the teepee and playing table tennis and football. They also took part in the consultation, putting coloured stickers against the ideas they liked!
A Bright Future
A community initiative
Charity Garnett, one of The Haven’s trustees, welcomed everybody, and said that she and the other trustees wanted to hear everyone’s ideas for its future use.
Charity said that the trustees hoped to reinstate camping and other nature-based activities for the Island’s children and young people. They also had in mind other projects, such as a community garden, community orchard, wildlife pond, and facilities for hosting events.
One plan they hope to implement soon is a permissive path around the boundary, to enable safe movement between Nettlestone and the footpaths to Seaview and St Helens.
Charity also encouraged people to volunteer to help the field realise its enormous potential.
Another trustee, Helen Bradstock, said: ‘After three years of work behind the scenes, it was wonderful to have people on the field, with such enthusiasm and support for getting young people outdoors and connecting with nature.’
The Bucks Schools Camp Association had hosted children for camping holidays and adventures on the field since the 1930s. When they decided to call it a day after COVID struck, the Charity Commission formally agreed its transfer to ‘The Haven, Isle of Wight’, who plan to use the field in the same spirit.
This six-and-a-half-acre field still has the necessary infrastructure, and The Haven trustees will be finding ways to upgrade and modernise the facilities.
Everyone is invited to take part in a consultation about the field’s future, which can be completed online.
Donations to the project are most welcome and can be made online. These will help cover vital renovation and set up costs.
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 us.
