May 2004

Dear All,
Hi again and I hope you are all getting into the summer spirit and enjoying the new life that we see all around as spring gives way to summer. At Oakhanger we are still waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more, and are still experiencing some cold evenings. I am finding it more difficult to keep warm having spent an enjoyable 10 days in the Bahamas with temperatures of 70 plus.

Speaking of the Bahamas, thanks to Ed and Erika in Grand Bahama for their hospitality . It was good to meet the team from Grand Bahama Nature Tours and to share coaching skills. Congratulations to all who achieved 2 star awards. I hope to return in October/November to complete 3 star and Canoe Safety Awards. Also thanks to Theo and Tamara for allowing me to be one of the family in Crown Haven. Plans are under way to return to Crown Haven, Abaco in October or November to run an Oakhanger Activity program with the young people of the village. Crown Haven is a small fishing village at the northern end of Abaco. An idyllic place with opportunity for the kayak and walking enthusiast. We are looking to take a team to kayak from Grand Bahama to Abaco and lead an adventure program with the young people of Crown Haven. Graham Lamb will be co-ordinating the organisation of this trip. Contact Graham for details.

Graham is also organisating a BBQ on Saturday 24 July at Oakhanger. The evening starts at 1900 hours and proceeds are to help support our work with Overseas activity programmes.

Last May Brian visited the Spirit Euxin Activity Centre in Romania with Christian Outdoor Network (CON) ministries, to assist with coaching kayak skills. His recent talk and slide show on the work provided an interesting evening during the last Oakhanger Study programme. Brian is available to visit groups and churches to talk about the work of CON outdoor ministries in Romania and other areas. You can contact Brian through our main address.

Finally, we wecome John and Clare Wadsworth to our mailing list, and wish them well in their work in setting up an activity centre in China.

What's Happening Now ?

Activity Adventure and Kayak Courses are now underway with a number of voluntary and community groups. Helpers are needed for evenings and daytime in school holidays.

We are running a number of staff training events to update staff responsible for activities on current skills and proceedures. Why not join us to learn the practical and organisational skills which are involved in the range of activities we operate. Contact me for further information. I would like to see a team of junior leaders engaged in supporting and organising activity programmes. We still need staff for some of the summer holiday activities.

Dates for your Diary

Saturday 29 May - Capernwray Hall Open Day - 1400 to 1700 hrs.
Thursday 3 June - Activity Day at Brereton (kayaking, orienteering, games, etc) - 1100 to 1500 hrs.
Friday 18 to Sunday 20 June - Camping weekend at Beddgelert, North Wales
Saturday 26 June - Activity Day at Brereton with CLASP Sunday 27 June - Activity Day at Oakhanger from 1100 to 1500 hours
Sunday 27 June - Strawberry Tea at Oakhanger from 1700 to 1830 (followed by "Songs of Praise" with the Haslington Music group). Why not join us for the full day of FUN - FOOD - FELLOWSHIP.
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July - Canoe Safety Course - details from Graham Bushill Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July - BCU Level 2 Training Course - details from Graham Bushill Saturday 24 July - Barbecue at Oakhanger - in aid of Overseas programmes.
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 August - Camping weekend at Treaddur Bay, Anglesey, N. Wales.
5 to 10 September Walking in Scotland (contact Brian for details)
Friday 22 to Monday 25 October - Woolacombe weekend

Booked your 2004 hoidays yet? We are able to offer 2 to 7 nights self catering accommodation for 2 people at Prestatyn, N. Wales from 28 August to 4 September, in Norfolk for 2 -4 people from 11 to 18 September, and in Kissimmee, Florida for 4 or 8 people, from 2 to 9 October and for 4, 6 or 10 people from 9 to 16 October. Contact me for further details.

I look forward to hearing and meeting as many of you as possible during the year.

With my thoughts and Best Wishes,

Graham