With a recruitment process dedicated to team dynamics, the immediate future of Actual Reality looks like it’s being carried by its front-line staff, whilst its board wrestles with the local authority to secure the castles future.
In a dramatic rally of support from over 5000 campaigners using the social networking website, Facebook the work of a great team of instructors might have been saved. Having joined the Facebook campaign and having engaged in the discussion boards, I was passionate about the cause and decided that I should ‘do my bit’.
"I was passionate about the cause and decided that I should - do my bit"It was one of those spur of the moment decisions that have punctuated my life over the years. I decided to take part in a march in support of the work of the company ‘Actual Reality’, an outdoor education provider who operates out of a picturesque castle on the West coast of Scotland.
In recent months the activities of one of Scotland’s premier outdoor education centres has been put under threat. The centre based at Castle Toward, was closed by the building’s owners, Argyll and Bute Council in November last year following a combination of both fire stipulations and overdue maintenance needs not undertaken by the council.
I landed in Glasgow on Thursday and was keen to get to grips with the issues at first hand. It was then that I was introduced to the dedicated staff of Castle Toward. Uncertain about their professional futures, the atmosphere was light and hardworking. I took photographs of banners on the castle advertising the forthcoming march and public meeting.
The pressure applied by local community stakeholders together with the ‘Facebook 5000’ did make a difference and at public meeting, the council made an apparent u-turn. The council representatives declared their intent to work alongside Actual Reality to resolve the problems and re-open the castle on 1st March enabling kids from all over Scotland to benefit once again.
"the ‘Facebook 5000’ did make a difference"
The closure threat to the outdoor activity residential education centre has attracted almost 1,400 signatures on a petition calling for it to stay open and the council obviously listened.
In early January, following the closure and amid heavy criticism of Argyll and Bute Council for its handling of the situation, local supporters requested that South Cowal Community Council facilitate a public meeting to discuss the situation, with council officers in attendance.
Representatives of Argyll and Bute Council and Actual Reality Learning and Leadership Ltd had a very positive meeting on 22nd January which cut ‘the Gordian Knot’.
Following a gathering of supporters around the bandstand in Dunoon, at a public meeting on Saturday 30th January, Dr Chris Mason speaking on behalf of the Directors of Actual Reality explained, “the 1st March opening date is a great step forward and the company is now engaged in negotiations with a view of buying the castle and a proportion of the estate from Argyll and Bute”.
"the 1st March opening date is a great step forward"
Image courtesy of Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard
Whilst the Facebook campaigners are still gearing up to fight the rest of the war in support of buying the castle, staff at the castle are fighting their own battle at the front line leading up to the 1st March. In a push to complete remedial works required in order that Castle Toward is fully occupied and used for residential accommodation, it’s all hands on deck, with instructors swapping their paddles and harnesses in favour of overalls and tools.
The council released a statement saying, “If the agreed works are completed to the satisfaction of both parties, Castle Toward will be able to be used by Actual Reality for the delivery of its outdoor education programme.”
In an official statement released by Actual Reality it was confirmed “Castle Toward is a beacon, a bright light on the radar of Scottish education provision whose contribution to the skills, knowledge, attitudes and understanding of countless young people is legend. We are now all going to work together to carry that capacity forward for future generations thus helping to develop the confident and responsible citizens and contributors upon whom so much will depend as we face more and more complicated options for a sustainable future”.
Pete “Pedro” Clark, Senior Instructor for Castle Toward, overseeing an 18-strong team of outdoor educators said “It’s fantastic that everyone has rallied so hard to get the place ready for the kids when they start coming again.”
"It’s fantastic that everyone has rallied so hard"
Later during the interview when describing how staff are recruited Pete explained, “unlike some other centres up and down the country, it’s not about being macho or testosterone fuelled, it’s not about whether a person has the best kit or has the most qualifications. It’s about whether they will fit in and contribute positively to the team.”
Reading the comments left on the discussion board of the Facebook group, it’s clear that the team make a big difference to 6000 or so kids who pass through the centre every year before considering the secondary positive effects the castle brings to the surrounding local community.
"my thoughts rest on the Castle Toward instructors and their battle I think they will win"
During my limited time sitting in the staff room and sharing tea-breaks with the crew, I left feeling inspired that the castle is in safe hands. The front-line instructors are a light hearted and passionate bunch. They are the heart-beat of the castle without whom, the castle just turns into a Victorian pile of stone and mortar.
As one member of the ‘Facebook 5000’ and reflecting on my experience whilst on my flight down to Gatwick, my thoughts rest on the Castle Toward instructors and their battle I think they will win.
For further information see:
http://www.actualrealitycentres.com
http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk
Forargyll.com
End.
This article is duplicated on the new Gullbad Nogbee platform: HERE where you can better follow my adventures.
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