Building is repaired by keen volunteers

The 11 helpers from the Department of Work and Pensions spent two days repairing cracks in the walls of the centre’s grass roof bothy.

They also cleared a large area of woodland next to the bothy.

Country centre manager Simon Hutchins was amazed at the amount of work the volunteers achieved.

“I never expected the group to finish clearing the woodland area and make repairs to the bothy.

“They have done a brilliant job.”

The bothy was built by Ben Law, who appeared on Channel 4’s Grand Designs, and was built from natural local wood.

Centre operator, the Aldingbourne Trust charity, is considering extending the bothy with a straw 
bale construction.

Scott Bell, the trust’s volunteer co-ordinator, said: “We have a good relationship with a number of corporate bodies.

“But we have an especially close one with the Department of Work and Pensions.

“This is the third time that a group of volunteers from the department have worked with the trust in the last year.

“We are grateful for their staff’s help and assistance.”

The latest group of volunteers used their time at the centre, at Blackmill Lane north of the A29, to see its work in encouraging adults with learning disabilities to learn and develop a wide range of skills in social enterprises.

For more information visit www.aldingbournetrust.co.uk