A popular outdoor campsite for school children has been saved, seven months after funding for the site was withdrawn.

Despite fierce opposition, Hertfordshire County Council announced that Cuffley Camp would be closing after it decided not to renew the lease.

But the outdoor education centre, which was created just after the end of the Second World War, has been given a new lease of life and is set for a £1m redevelopment.

Active Learning Group (ALG) has now taken ownership of the site and will embark on a year-long programme with the new and improved camp set to open next summer.

Watford Observer:

Nigel Miller, CEO Active Learning Group, was handed the keys on Friday to the Cuffley site by Oliver Middlemiss, resident land agent at Hatfield House which owns the site and are incumbent lease holders.

Mr Miller said: “We passionately believe that children should be actively immersed in the learning process and in turn, encourage self-assurance and character development in young people. We want kids to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in and explore the outside world to build their creativity, confidence and resilience.

“We want to promise a series of ‘Cuffley Community Commitments’. We hope these commitments will help reassure local residents and their families that their much loved Cuffley is being restored and reinvigorated.

“In 2019, Cuffley will be reborn: With the community’s help, we can capture and learn from all the fantastic collective memories of old and use them to build new ones for many generations to come.”

Watford Observer:

Mr Middlemiss added: “It was always intended that Cuffley Camp should continue to operate as an outdoor education centre. I’m delighted that we were able to secure a partnership with such an experienced team.

“We are confident in the ability of Active Learning Group, with their vast experience and knowledge, to deliver excellence in outdoor education for local children.”

ALG plan to hold a launch party ahead of the grand reopening. Anyone who has worked at Cuffley Camp or who has fond memories of the site should contact Katie Inglis at katie@fearlesspr.co.uk to get involved with the celebrations.