Eurotunnel inaugurates new Education Shelter at Samphire Hoe in partnership with the Up On The Downs Landscape Partnership Scheme
A new Education Shelter has been opened on Samphire Hoe in Kent, today Friday 28 November 2014. The Education Shelter is the result of collaboration between Eurotunnel, owners of Samphire Hoe, the Up on the Downs Landscape Partnership Scheme, and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, who manage the space.
Samphire Hoe is the platform at the base of Shakespeare Cliff near Dover which was built using spoil extracted during the construction of the Channel Tunnel. It has developed into one of the most vibrant natural spaces in the UK, with many unusual species of fauna and flora and winning many awards for its management and stewardship along the way.
Samphire Hoe is a haven of beauty accessible to all and regularly used by school and other groups for educational and cultural visits. Being exposed at the foot of the cliffs has meant that visits in poor weather conditions in the past could be quite exhilarating.
The construction of the Education Shelter, which has been funded jointly by Eurotunnel and the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Up on the Downs Landscape Partnership Scheme, means that there is now a fully equipped, all weather education and event space available for school and other groups.
The building has been designed to blend in with the natural environment at Samphire Hoe and has been constructed using sustainable building techniques and materials. It is clad in recycled sleepers from the Eurotunnel terminal and will be heated by wood burners using logs cut during expansion work at the terminal in Folkestone.
The first group to use the centre came from nearby Aycliffe Primary School, who attended an education workshop hosted by Samphire Hoe Head Ranger, Paul Holt.
Speaking after the ribbon was cut to officially open the Samphire Hoe Education Shelter, Eurotunnel’s Commercial Director Jo Willacy said:
“Eurotunnel is delighted to be part of the partnership with Up On The Downs that has built this Education Shelter. We are proud that it will help expand the variety of educational resources available to young people in Kent and especially pleased that schools will now be able to visit Samphire Hoe all year round without fear of the weather”
Richard Haynes, the Scheme Manager for Up on the Downs added:
“this fantastic education facility will become a focal point for people to learn about and celebrate the wonderful countryside and heritage of the Dover and Folkestone area.”
