Facility for Hampshire children to be shared (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Joint funding for Hampshire's Mountain Centre

1:00pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in Local By Gazette reporter

A FACILITY that allows Hampshire children to enjoy outdoor adventures in Wales is to be shared with youngsters from London.

Hampshire County Council’s executive member for culture and recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman approved a joint venture with Sir John Cass’s Foundation to provide funding for Hampshire’s Mountain Centre in the Brecon Beacons in south Wales.

Sir John Cass’s Foundation, an education charity, has agreed to spend £250,000 over a five-year period to support what will now be called Hampshire County Council Cass Foundation Mountain Centre, in order to provide opportunities for children in London.

The money is about 50 per cent of the running costs of the centre, which will reduce the subsidy required from Hampshire.

Every year, about 4,500 children travel from Hampshire to stay at the centre. Cllr Chapman said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to bring Hampshire’s Mountain Centre and its excellent facilities to a wider audience.”