FOR 25 years I managed Lancashire's Outdoor Education Centre in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Tens of thousands of children attended and had a life-enhancing experience.

Prior House gained the affection of hundreds of teachers and parents and, only four years ago, thousands of people wrote to their county councillors demanding that it should not be closed because of cash shortages.

Now, the prospect is its imminent closure. I understand the intention is to shift operations to Borwick Hall situated next to the M6 at Carnforth. The main reason given is economy of scale. The Borwick centre can accommodate 720-plus pupils which would give Lancashire Education Authority increased income.

However, in closing Prior House what would teachers and pupils lose? Many will be aware of its unique setting and easy access to a wide variety of exciting and stimulating terrain.

In contrast, Borwick is set in monotonous, tamed, bland, manicured and mainly pasture farmland and does not offer schools a contrasting location for curriculum work. The relatively uninhabited eastern Pennine dales however present a rich wilderness experience because of their upland rivers, ancient wooded valleys, dramatic waterfalled gorges and wild heather moorland.

For many pupils in Lancashire, the Borwick type of scene is already on their doorstep or just around the corner.

The need for county to save money is behind all these changes. But is it wise to take on the burden of a building with potentially high maintenance costs?

Prior House has already been paid for by the people of Burnley and is well maintained with low maintenance costs.

Given active marketing, Prior House could generate further income through weekend and holiday clients. Why has this not been given the opportunity to develop?

Where is the vision within Lancashire County Council?

Before the die is finally cast I urge readers to appeal to their local county councillors, MPs and county education committee to keep the Prior House Outdoor Education Centre.

B APPLEBY

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.