Double Celebration For Peak District Outdoors Enthusiasts
13 September 2012
Kenton Cool, who will be the University's guest of honour at the opening of its new outdoors centre, reaching the summit of Everest for a record tenth time.
All of the improvements to Oaklands Manor and its 58 acres of surrounding land will be unveiled at the official opening with help from a very big name in the adventure world, Kenton Cool.
”Dr Peter Dewhurst, Dean of the University of Derby Buxton
The University's Oaklands Manor outdoor pursuits centre
The University of Derby Buxton is hosting a double celebration to mark both the formal opening of its new 58 acre outdoor pursuits centre and the launch of the town's first ever Buxton Adventure Festival, of which the University is a key sponsor.
On Friday October 19 - the evening before the festival starts - world class climber Kenton Cool, who has reached the summit of Everest a remarkable ten times, will be the University's guest of honour at the official opening of its Oaklands Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre.
Dr Peter Dewhurst, Strategic Director of the University of Derby Buxton, said: "All of the improvements to Oaklands Manor and its 58 acres of surrounding land will be unveiled at the official opening with help from a very big name in the adventure world, Kenton Cool.
"A great deal of work has been going on at our new outdoor pursuits centre over the summer to make sure Oaklands Manor is in fantastic shape for our Adventure, Countryside and Outdoor Management degree students returning to Buxton or starting their studies with us this month.
"We hope that many of our students and members of Buxton's outdoor community will join us on Friday October 19 to hear some of Kenton's inspiring adventures and celebrate the opening."
The University is also proud to sponsor the new Buxton Adventure Festival, which takes place at the Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre over the weekend of October 20 and 21. The festival is the latest venture of Heason Events, which also runs the popular annual Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF) and co-organises Sheffield's summer outdoors festival Cliffhanger.
Matt Heason from Heason Events added: "I've been bowled over by Buxton's enthusiastic response to the town's brand new festival.
"It's overwhelming just how much support we've had. We were originally planning a low key event to test the water and have been delighted with the positive reaction from the University and High Peak Borough Council, as well as from our new patron Mike Tomlinson and all our sponsors.
"The facilities at Oaklands Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre are superb and as well as the welcome reception, it will also be hosting a brilliant afternoon of activities for our younger audience inspired by our Young Adventurers' morning sessions."
Leader of High Peak Borough Council, Councillor Caitlin Bisknell, says it is keen to harness the festival's visitor potential, especially in light of the future transformation of The Crescent in Buxton into a five star hotel spa.
She said: "The festival will strengthen Buxton's reputation as a festival town and cement our credentials as a major adventure destination in the heart of the Peak District. The festival's timing couldn't be better as it helps to extend the tourist season and fits well with council plans to attract retailers specialising in outdoor sports and leisure equipment, as part of a wider campaign to bring a range of new shops into Buxton."
For more information about the opening of Oaklands Manor call Emily Ibbotson on telephone 01298 330603 or email e.ibbotson@derby.ac.uk
For more details on the first ever Buxton Adventure Festival visit www.buxtonadventurefestival.co.uk
To find out more about the University of Derby's Outdoor, Countryside and Adventure degree programmes visit www.derby.ac.uk/outdoor
