IN LESS than a week, more than 11,000 people have signed a petition to save two outdoor education centres which have taught generations of Wiltshire children for decades.

Oxenwood near Marlboroughand Braeside in Devizes have given many children their first taste of staying away from home and experiencing activities like climbing, archery and kayaking while on trips with schools or youth groups.

Wiltshire Council is to close both centres after a review concluded they were too expensive to maintain.

The council says only 30 per cent of schools in the county now use the facilities and emergency repair work to the sites would require £1.4m of investment to keep them up and running.

The shock decision has sparked anger and distress among parents and carers, who described the outdoor adventure centres as ‘vital’ for the physical and mental development of children.

A protest petition began hours after the announcement was made last Thursday and has reached 11,800 signatures. Campaigners want the council to hold a consultation before making any further decisions.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children, said: “We understand the strength of feeling from some people and respect those in support of the centres remaining as is. Unfortunately budgets are tight and it is important we spend our money wisely, funding those areas where it is most needed including supporting our vulnerable children and investing in other education priorities.

“Sadly we can no longer meet the high costs of running outdoor education centres but I’m pleased there is already a wide range of facilities available which many of our schools already use."

Chairman of managers at Braeside, David Borrie, said: “They have not contacted the managers once before making this decision and neither did they consult the children or schools.

“There are many ways of keeping the centres running without the council needing to worry about the potential cost of buildings maintenance. This is a great loss to the county’s children and once again Wiltshire is diminished.”

Juliet Bonser, from the Savernake Explorer Scouts, said: “Our Scouts have used the sites and also used the mobile climbing wall at events for the last 10 years, so we hope that this will remain in the area. The trips are the first taste of residential trips for many children, my own children included. But budget cuts are difficult.”

Tamzin Henderson, of Pewsey, a forest school practitioner, said: “The council have to listen to parent power. It is not only getting them active but improving their resilience, confidence and independence. Parents have seen that When their child comes back their eyes are shiny from having the best time in the world.”

Parent Lucy Gomes said: “We already have enough mental and physical health problems with children, these places are key to getting children outside.

“We are going to continue this and push for a structured debate with WC because they are a democratically voted in body.

“If these both shut there will be more problems long term.”

Sign the petition here.