Climbing wall unveiled at centre in Aldridge

A new £50,000 climbing wall has been unveiled at an adventure centre. more

The wall at Woodlands Adventure in Aldridge was funded by the Saintbury Trust charity, which hands out grants to groups across the country.

In recent years the site has undergone a series of revamps and organisers say it is 'unrecognisable' from when it was taken over in 1968.

As well as scaling the wall, visitors will be able to abseil down it.

Centre manager Chris Williams said "It will enable us to offer a much greater range of programmes to groups and in due course the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) levels one and two.

"It is also situated on the main site making it far more accessible. We really are greatly indebted to the Saintbury Trust for providing this magnificent new activity and I'm sure that the 10,000 plus children that visit us each year will enjoy the climbing which has become a growth sport over the last 10 years or so."

Jonathan Cox, the Chairman of the Trustees of the Birmingham Boys' and Girls' Union which runs Woodlands Adventure, said "We owe a big thank you to the Saintbury Trust. We have needed a new climbing wall at Woodlands for some time and this is certain to become a major attraction at the centre."

The charity was founded by Canon Carnegie of Birmingham Cathedral, some 108 years ago and provides recreational facilities and outdoor education to children from Birmingham and the West Midlands, especially those who are disadvantaged or have special needs.

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