The Frank Chapman Outdoor Education Centre in Bewdley which is run by Sandwell Council is reopening the much loved and historic Coopers Mill Cottage later this month.
The centre is holding an “open house” on Thursday 28 May 4.30-8pm at the cottage which was shut in 2014 by Birmingham Council after it took the decision to close all of its outdoor education centres throughout the Midlands and Wales.
The council’s outdoor education centre will use the cottage for day visits and walks in the woods, outdoor adventure, overnight stays, river studies and it is available for family groups and organisations to book to provide relaxed accommodation and camping, tucked right in the heart of the Wyre forest, away from it all.
Frank Chapman Centre’s Head, Stu Meese said: “We are so excited to have been awarded the custodianship of the cottage from Natural England and the Worgan Trust and we are looking forward to having young people enjoy the amazing surroundings, peace and remoteness of the cottage.
The cottage stands on the site of a historic mill and tavern which was part of the local history of Dowles brook and the Wyre forest. It is owned along with the surrounding woodland by the Worgan Trust, set up by the Cadbury family in the 1960s as a means of teaching inner city children about farming, food and the countryside.
Loyal fans of the cottage are being welcomed back such as the 1st Kidderminster Boys Brigade and Northfield Primary School who have booked their stays in the cottage as soon as they were able.
Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services said: “This is good news for the centre and especially for the many Sandwell children which visit this excellent centre in the countryside.
“We greatly value all our centres and it is important to give children as many new and different experiences and the cottage will enable the Frank Chapman staff to add to the excellent services they already provide at the site.”