Passed

Today we passed our AALA - Adventure Activity Licensing inspection. This requirement by HSE means we are able to operate until our next inspection in 2017.

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) came into existence in April 1996. It is currently sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Health and Safety Executive is currently designated as the AALA.

Adventure activities licensing ensures that activity providers follow good safety management practices.

These should allow young people to experience exciting and stimulating activities outdoors without being exposed to avoidable risks of death or disabling injury.

Full details visit the AALA website

Always on the go

Even on their days' off centre staff are keen to get out . Saturday a small team went off to explore Hendre calcite and flurospar mine. Situated on the way to Chester, this old mine proved to be a great adventure.

From entering the mine via an old ladder and a short crawl , we started to explore various passage ways and came across some impressive chambers / stopes that the miners had excavated.

Dropping down another 3 levels we ended up at the flooded lower floor, but still had plenty of options to explore.  Using the ladders in the picture proved to be a very interesting way down.

The mine stopped working in 1981. The picture below shows the team descending the in situ ladders that the miners left behind.

North Wales mining adventure at Blue Peris Mountain Centre

Fluorspar is a commercial term for the mineral. fluorite (calcium fluoride, CaF2) which, when pure, contains 51.1% Ca and 48.9% F. It is the most important and only UK source of the element fluorine (F). There are three main grades – acid, metallurgical and ceramic.

Fun Embargo Broken

A serious situation occurred today when fun was banned for the day. Unfortunately some of the groups had issues dealing with this sanction and actually went out and had a whale of a time.

Needed a wash. In the washing machine, think someone is smiling though.

Definitely looking like fun, minus ten points.

Experiencing the dark down the mine.

Again way too much fun, minus twenty points this time.

Looks a bit more serious, keep it up.

At last, someone hard at work down the mine. Starting a drill hole with a jumper. Solid effort.

Day 2 in the Blue Peris House

The second day for our group at Blue Peris this week gave the teams another chance to explore the diverse and challenging areas that Snowdonia has to offer.

Teams left nice and early from the centre after the youngsters had managed to organise themselves much more efficiently today!

Suited and booted, we had groups tackling the Gerionydd gorge, Wrysgan mine, Lion Rock crag and Lake Padarn all of whom did extremely well within their respective activity.

It was a busy night at the centre with all groups also participating in evening activities of which included the Low Ropes course, the Nightline & The Egg Drop challenge!

Working together at Lion Rock

Plenty of fun to be had in the gorge!

Upon reaching the entrance to Wrysgan mine.

"It's afloat!" Raft building at Lake Padarn

Construction phase. 

The first steps to independence

The first day for this group of youngsters.
With a cold start everyone was very happy the sun started shining.
Warming up cold hands and putting smiles on faces.

The groups took on new challenges and started their first steps towards becoming independent.
Especially for this age group that is a massive challenge. As for some this might be the first time away from home. Bringing a full change of clothes as well as lunch drink and a towel is a lot to think about when you are used to your parents packing it all for you.

Belaying at Lion Rock

Is the raft staying together?

Wet and wild in the Gorge

Who turned off the lights?

Climbing waterfalls in the gorge

Which way to go @ Rihwbach mine

Bedfordshire Day

Bedfordshire Day is a day to celebrate the county and all its virtues. The residents of Bedfordshire wish to share their pride with other Bedfordians. The 28th November is the anniversary of the birth of John Bunyan, one of Bedfordshire's most well known historical figures, author of A Pilgrim's Progress and a Methodist preacher.

The date was decided by public vote earlier this year and therefore is the first Bedfordshire day, so we want to get started with a bang and really promote it well. 

http://www.friendsofbedfordshire.org.uk

Eggstatic

Eggeryone had an eggstremely eggsiting day today. Egging each other on to an eggselent performance all round. Like an egg. 

Eggstreme follow the laider

On the e(d)gge of falling in

Egg on their faces.

Nestling under the bridge.

The mine eggsit.

Finished the day with the egg drop challenge, resulting in a few cracked eggs, a lot of scrambling and two survivors!!

Cast Away

After the wild night of weather had subsided our teams here at Blue Peris were feeling optimistic for another jam-packed day of activities.

Today saw two of the teams head down to the Padarn lake to explore the lagoons using their impressive & imaginative creations.

Both groups worked fantastically well together, securing their Cast Away style rafts before embarking on an exciting journey into the unknown. Challenges awaited them with both teams partaking in many games to secure points. By the end they were all soaked from having too much fun and splashing one another!

Following this the teams separated, one heading back to the centre to complete Orienteering courses in quick succession, with another team heading for the crag for some sunny rock climbing.

20 students found themselves deep underground, exploring one of North Wales' finest mines. Twisting and turning the groups negotiated their way through the darkness, luckily to see the light at the end of the tunnel nearer the second half of the afternoon!

Our final group ventured to the Gerionydd Gorge. Steady teamwork throughout ensured the group managed to complete the whole gorge from top to bottom, bum-sliding and scrambling effortlessly along some slippy terrain.

With the weather looking better as the week goes on we are set to have a cracking last couple of days.

A great first day

Today was the start of a week of adventurous activities for a group of 7 to 10 year olds.

With some heavy downpours forecast for the afternoon, 2 groups made good use of the morning sunshine to have a go at rock climbing. For some this is a big push out of their comfort zone.

But after a few goes everyone felt like they had achieved something.

In the afternoon they had a go at Orienteering.

Two groups visited the gorge. With good teamwork they managed to get through and there were even a few good slides to have a go at.

Group 5 visited a slate mine. In groups of 2 they were given a survey (map) of the mine, and they were challenged to take the lead, keep the group together whilst finding their way through.

All groups were buzzing when they got back, which makes for a good start of the week.

Group 5 finding their way through Rhiwbach Slate mine

Belay instructions

Gorge walking group 2 

Gorge walking Group 1 checking out the waterfall

Scaling the wall with Llyn Padarn in the background