SET in an idyllic valley in one of Lakeland's wildest settings, sits the Longsleddale Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

Two 17th century barns have been the buildings from which thousands of children and adults from central and south east Lancashire have set out to enjoy all aspects of outdoor adventure.

Since opening in 1974, the centre has provided friendly and experienced instruction in map reading, orienteering, climbing, walking and many more outdoor activities.

The centre, which is run by volunteers, also provides facilities for field studies and residential courses.

Unfortunately, due to the recession, the centre has begun to experience staffing problems and is looking for willing volunteers to help continue the centre's traditions.

As a result, we grabbed a sleeping bag each, laced up our walking boots and headed north to take part in a free Taster Weekend aimed at revitalising recruitment.

We arrived at the isolated centre on a Friday night to be welcomed by the booking secretary and Sharples School librarian, Val Coleshaw.

After an introduction to staff and the group's objectives, we were told of the weekend's activities.

The next morning, the memories of the cold night disappeared as we saw the tranquil beauty surrounding us.

Breakfast was followed by explanations and demonstrations of the centre's extensive range of equipment. We then set off on a leisurely ramble to Sadgill and Stile End, which took us down into the sleepy village of Kentmere.

The walk was around three miles and enabled the group to acquaint itself with each other and the surrounding landscape.

After lunch we set off up an almost vertical hill past Stockdale Beck and on up to Brock Crag, which is a large outcrop of rock used by the centre for climbing and abseiling.

"It gives the children an incentive to battle their way up if they know they can have a go at abseiling at the top," says Bill Rhodes, chairman of Longsleddale and head of humanities at Smithills School.

After waking from our slumbers on Sunday morning, the general consensus was for a return visit up the vertical Brock Crag for a little after-breakfast rock climbing and abseiling.

With a little expert tuition, and some fancy footwork from Nigel Burke, the centre's chairman of instructors, we slowly inched our way upwards.

Once at the top, we had to return to terra ferma - but this time it was backwards and downwards. Abseiling defies all laws of sense and sensibility, yet it's exciting and impossible to forget.

For this generation's hi-tec, TV-fuelled complacency, simple lessons can be learned from some good old fashioned outdoor adventure.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Longsleddale Outdoor Pursuits Centre, or wanting to arrange school or club trips, can contact Bill Rhodes on (01257) 277104. The next Taster Weekend is on October 27-29.

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