New owners have been announced for Waddow Hall, the historic outdoor activity centre in the Ribble Valley.
Lancashire based GT Foundation said it aims to protect Waddow Hall’s legacy and ‘unlock its full potential as a place where children and young people can grow, explore, and thrive’.
Located just outside of Clitheroe, in May 2023 the venue was one of five centres which was listed to be closed as the national Girlguiding association said it could no longer afford the upkeep.
Girlguiding, which is headquartered in Buckingham Palace Road, London, said the activity centres would be sold ‘because of the investment needed and the reduced number of members using them in the past decade’.
A petition was also launched asking for Girlguiding to reconsider selling the centres.
The decision caused much upset, and the building was later put up for sale following its closure in December 2023.
The site will now be run by the Waddow Hall Trust and local outdoor activity providers in close partnership with GT Foundation.
Trustee of GT Foundation, Philip Walker, said: “This is a moment of hope, and we’re proud to be part of it.
"Waddow Hall has meant so much to so many for so long, and now, it has a new chapter ahead.
"We’ve worked closely with Waddow Hall Trust to ensure the site can return to its original purpose as soon as possible while also improving facilities and accessibility for the whole community.
"Whilst there is a lot of hard work and effort ahead, our goal is to make Waddow even better than before.”
“We’ve already had fantastic support from members of the former Waddow team and local residents.
"This is a shared effort—and we’re grateful to everyone who has played a part, including Nigel Evans, who fully supported us in the early stages and Maya Ellis, who has championed the future of Waddow at every step.”
“This is about much more than preserving a property, it is about restoring a place that helps shape lives.”
Ribble Valley MP, Maya Ellis, said: “I am truly delighted that we can finally move forward with getting Waddow Hall back in the service of young people as it has always been.
"Ribble Valley needs spaces like this for young people to thrive and develop skills, and I’m grateful to the patience and commitment of Waddow Hall Trust and GT Foundation for making this happen.
“It is particularly special to me, as a lifelong member of Girlguiding, that we can retain such an iconic space in my constituency.
"I look forward to working closely with partners to see Waddow thrive in supporting young people for years to come.”
The Waddow Hall Trust said it had been formed to ‘safeguard the site’s future, is now helping shape its rebirth’.
A spokesperson for the Trust said: “This has always been about more than bricks and mortar.
"Waddow Hall is a place of belonging, of adventure, and of community.
"Working with GT Foundation, we’ve found a way forward that ensures Waddow can continue to inspire young people, not just now but for decades to come.”
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