The Outdoor Place
Probably around a year ago I had a conversation with Wilf Warne, retired Chief Inspector and sometimes lay assistant - often found at the cathedral door at Evensong, on Sundays. He wanted to tell me about a woman Charlotte, who was doing remarkable work with young people, somewhere close to the Bissoe trail – young people with a range of different learning difficulties. Apparently, remarkably, she had helped these young adults through the process of attaining their Duke of Edinburgh awards and 15 of them, no less, had overcome all challenges and had achieved their Gold award. The usual way of celebrating such a feat is to go to St James’ Palace and receive your award from a member of the Royal Family but what with Covid and all, that process was somewhat stacked up. Wilf wanted to know if the cathedral could do anything to help.
As we always try to respond positively to any kind of celebration of the life of the community that we serve, I said I would give it a go – and Charlotte and I arranged to meet.
Charlotte used to work at Truro College – very often engaging with those, who were students there, with special educational needs. It was in that work that she discerned the need to give those she worked with the freedom to learn alongside others in a non-classroom environment. Thus, ‘The Outdoor Place’ was born, utilising land on her parent’s farm, somewhere between Carnon Downs and Chacewater. From that place, the great adventure of attaining awards began – with some of those involved spending their first-ever nights away from parents on the way. Bronze led to Silver and Silver led to Gold, and anyone who knows anything about these awards will tell you the effort that entails for any person. Charlotte, is so impressed then, by those in her care, who have gone on this pilgrimage and achieved what they have – and she had spoken with Wilf in the hope that we could find a way of celebrating that. One of her young female students had also said that everyone at Truro College graduated at Truro Cathedral but that people like her would never get to do that. This seemed like something worth changing – but would we be able to do it?
If you are going to deal with anything involving the Royal Family in the County, then speaking to the Lord Lieutenant is always the best port of call. I, therefore, contacted Edward Bolitho, who was immediately helpful and keen that we should if we could, and correspondence was then had with those in London who administer the awards to seek permission. Along the way, Bishop Hugh was recruited as a co-conspirator – keen to help and to be present on the night. In short, permission was granted. Some of the young people will still go to St James’ Palace, as is their right, but only one person can accompany them there, but all can have a certificate given in Truro Cathedral - and we hope to fill the place with their families, friends, supporters and the wider community. This will all happen at 19:00 on Friday 23 September in the cathedral in the presence of the Vice-Lord Lieutenant James Williams and Bishop Hugh – and of course 15 remarkable young people and Charlotte. I hope Wilf will be there too.
Frazer, Josh, Richard, Janice and Jason have since been to see us at the cathedral and we showed them around - and Edward, Hugh and our Education Officer Rachel and I, have since been to ‘The Outdoor Place’ Where Frazer, Richard and Josh returned the favour. The pictures along the way were taken by Frazer – and yes, the fool on the swing is me.
We want to get friends, family and supporters in first, but I hope there will still be some room for others to come along and celebrate the achievement evident in all of this with us, – watch this space. The whole thing warms my heart.
Canon Alan Bashforth