On Saturday 18 September, White Hall, an outdoor education centre in Buxton, celebrated its 70th Birthday.  

Local MP Robert Largan, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Outdoor Learning, and County Councillor for Glossop and Charlesworth Jean Wharmby joined the birthday celebrations. 

The day of festivities included activities for children and adults, such as zip wire, ropes courses, bushcraft, orienteering, climbing, and leap of faith. There were also stalls, including mountain rescue, cave rescue, and the Thomas Theyer Foundation.

It was the first local authority outdoor education centre in the country and has welcomed children and adults from Derbyshire for residential and day courses since its opening in 1951. 

More information, including the film “People’s History of White Hall”, about the seven decades of White Hall, can be found online here: whitehall.derbyshire-outdoors.org.

Robert Largan MP for High Peak commented: 

“It was a special day at White Hall Outdoor Education Centre, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the centre opening back in 1951. 

“At the time, it was the first-ever outdoor education centre opened by a local authority. It’s a model that many other councils have copied since.

“Generations of children from Derbyshire and beyond (including my dad) have come to White Hall to learn about our beautiful countryside and experience the outdoors.

“It was lovely to see so many children enjoying the sunshine and making the most of the day. It was also good to catch up with Councillor Jean Wharmby too.”