World Class Climber Not Too Cool For School
12 October 2012
World class climber Kenton Cool as he reaches the summit of Everest
I am honoured to be asked to open the University of Derby Buxton's new centre, and look forward to seeing the facilities it is offering its students when I visit on October 19.
”A climber at the peak of his career will inspire University of Derby Buxton students just embarking on theirs as he officially opens the University's new Outdoor Leadership Centre on Friday October 19.
Students, staff and invited guests will hear from world class climber Kenton Cool, who has reached the summit of Everest a remarkable ten times, when he cuts the ribbon at the University's 58 acre Oaklands Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre on Manchester Road.
The evening celebration will also kick off the first ever Buxton Adventure Festival, of which the University is a key sponsor.
The University purchased the Manchester Road site in April to provide its outdoor, adventure and countryside management degree students with a dedicated space to develop leadership management and outdoor activity skills.
The 58 acres of mixed woodland is complete with a 30 foot high climbing wall, a complex high ropes course including a 'leap of faith', three low ropes courses and an artificial underground caving course. Since commencing their studies in September, Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism degree students have been using the facilities on site to develop their leadership skills through experiential learning.
The site's dry stone walls, broad leaved woodlands and moorland landscapes are also providing opportunities for Countryside Management degree students to develop their estate management skills and play a large part in the site's long term sustainability.
Dr Peter Dewhurst, Strategic Director of the University of Derby Buxton, said: "We are delighted to welcome Kenton to officially open Oaklands and to unveil all of the improvements we have made over the summer.
"We hope that many of our students and members of the Peak District's thriving outdoor community will join us on October 19 to celebrate the launch of both the Centre and the Buxton Adventure Festival."
Kenton Cool said: "I am honoured to be asked to open the University of Derby Buxton's new centre, and look forward to seeing the facilities it is offering its students when I visit on October 19."
Momentum is gathering behind the new Buxton Adventure Festival (Oct 20-21) the latest venture of Heason Events, when the Pavilion Arts Centre will host audiences enjoying ten famous speakers from the adventure community, including cave diver Gavin Newman and mountain bike world champion Danny Hart, along with 30 films.
To complement the Festival, the University of Derby Buxton and Derbyshire Village Games are teaming up to put on afternoon activities for children of all ages.
Matt Heason from Heason Events added: "The facilities at the Oaklands Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre are superb, and as well as the welcome reception it will also be hosting a brilliant afternoon of activities led by Buxton students and staff for the Festival's younger audience."
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 website 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
