As we experience extreme heat as a result of climate change and an escalating bio-diversity crisis it comes as a shock to learn that once again the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre might be in jeopardy.
In the penultimate week of the school term Thames21 who currently run the Centre have given notice that their involvement will stop at the end of the month. The Centre is well-used by local primary schools (I know because my allotment is next door to the Centre and I hear excited children coming and going).
David Attenborough has repeatedly said we cannot expect children to defend nature if they haven't experienced it and the Centre plays a vital part in giving that experience in an era when Brent council has declared a Climate and Environmental Emergency.
With schools busy with end of term activities this news may not get through before the long summer holiday and it will only be when they try and book for the autumn term tht they will find the facility is no longer available.
It may be that Brent Council has safeguarding the Centre's future in hand but ominously neither the Council Press Office nor the lead Cabinet members responsible have responded to Wembley Matters' request for a statement. Thames21 have not yet responded to a request for confirmation of their withdrawal. I had hoped that it might be temporary while building work took place.
The two classrooms that form the Centre have been deteriorating for years and it was envisaged that the WHEEC would share the new build accommodation planned for a 16-19 SEND facility in the grounds.
Generations of Brent pupils have enjoyed visits to the Centre and many adults will have memories of bug hunting, pond dipping and much else. Let's hope if necessary we can get together and Save Our Centre.
4 comments:
Very worrying. I also see classes of primary school kids at the centres as I visit the garden centre. It is an amazing,essential and valuable resource for city kids. Many are in flats or HMOs with no access to a garden. Do keep us informed
More than worrying, MAD given where population growth is to be spatially c21.
The anti-growth conservation zones are clearly running off with all the green-blue future funding- ring fenced to inequalities and the brutal status quo growing even with Labour in power. WRONG.
Worrying that Brent Council have plans to redevelpp the site - what are they going to build here???
"Unfortunately, Thames21 has been operating the centre at a loss for several years. Despite the value of the work being done, we simply cannot continue to sustain these financial losses. We had hoped - and still hope - that the Council might step in, especially given their plans to redevelop the site."
Thames21’s Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC) update – July 2025 - Thames21 https://share.google/8MVfeRNIhJvoXm1xo
Why aren't the local councillors and MP for this area stepping in to save this brilliant and vital resource for kids in Brent???
Thames21 are probably referring to Brent Coucil propoals for a SEND 16-19 Skills Centre that is planned for the site. This would help the young people into employment. It will be a new building on the site wih the present poor condition classrooms demolished. The plans were for multi-use of the new building including running the WHEEC from there. However, the present crisis is about the running costs, incuding staffing, that WHEEC needs and have resulted in a loss to Thames21. It is likely that if the building is shared there would be a reduction in maintenance and utilities costs so that would help. i do hope councillors and local MPs will step in but the timing of the announcement, at the beginning of the summer holidays, makes rising the issue harder.
Post a Comment