BRAESIDE outdoor centre has been used by over 170 school in the past 12 months and has run at full capacity, despite being described as a centre that is ‘no longer a priority’ for the county.

107 schools from across the county and further afield visited the Devizes centre in the last year. They came from Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham, Devizes and Marlborough, as well as many village primary schools.

A breakdown of users visiting the residential provisions revealed that many Swindon schools had also benefitted from the site.

Both centres are due to be shut, with Wiltshire Council saing only 30 per cent of schools in the county were using them.

Anne Schwodler is the head at Marlborough St Mary’s, whose Year Four pupils travel to Braeside every year, a trip which sees many children experience their first independent night away from home. The school book their visits two years in advance in order to get a spot in Braeside’s calendar.

She said: “Head teachers feel disappointed that there was a lack of consultation and it is a shame that they decided to close two similar provision at the same time. Their places are very popular, they do get booked up.We are hopeful that a buyer can be found to keep them open otherwise we will have to cancel our booking for next year.”

Dave Borrie, the chairman of managers at Braeside, told the Gazette a further 75 schools use it as part of the county’s primary schools’ Able, Gifted and Talented programme.

Other organisations to have used the centre in the last 12 months include the Lions Club in Devizes and near neighbour Julia’s House.

Rachael Ross, vice chairman of the local Labour party, said: “We believe that 30 per cent usage is a misleading figure, and does not reflect the true use of Braeside by schools and charities, both in Wiltshire and from neighbouring counties.

“The decision by Wiltshire Council to close Braeside is really nothing to do with the centre’s performance and everything to do with financial mismanagement by Wiltshire Council.”

Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children, said when the closure was announced: “Unfortunately Wiltshire Council can no longer carry on with this provision.

“Budgets are tight and it’s important we spend our money wisely and fund those areas where it is most needed including supporting our vulnerable children and investing in other education priorities.I’m also pleased there is already a wide range of facilities available which many of our schools already use.”