SPORTING REUNION AT CALSHOT ACTIVITIES CENTRE

In celebration of 40 fun-filled years, Hampshire County Council's Calshot Activities Centre is planning a reunion party - and is appealing to faces from its past to come along and make sure it goes off with a bang.

Perhaps you were an instructor for the first ever group of youngsters to visit the centre from Romsey School in 1963 - or maybe you are one of the many coaches or members of staff who have contributed to making Calshot what it is today - a centre with an enviable reputation for providing a range of indoor and outdoor activities.

The centre, which now employs over 60 full-time staff, has for long been known for its watersports - including sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. It now boasts an unrivalled range of indoor activities, and is home to the largest climbing wall on the south coast, one of only two indoor velodromes in the country, and a ski slope - all housed in one enormous hangar. Other new outdoor activities such as kitesurfing, powerboating and jetskiing have also been added to the repertoire over the years.

The County Council's Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor John Waddington, said: "We are hoping to be able to contact as many people as possible - from the most recent members of staff to those who were around in the very early days. We are sure that many of them have gone on to play important roles in the world of outdoor activities - and this event will be a great chance for everyone to get together and exchange stories.

"This will be our chance to thank them all for their help in providing this excellent facility, which has improved the quality of life for thousands of people since it began four decades ago."

The party is due to take place this September. Any instructors, coaches and other member of staff who have worked at Calshot Activities Centre should contact the centre on 023 8089 2077, e-mail calshot.ac@hants.gov.uk or check the news page at www.calshot.com

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Julia Herron 01962 846006
17 February 2003
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