“Cobnor Activities Centre was established in 1979 and continues to offer a range of courses to give young people in the local area the opportunity to experience challenging outdoor activities, both water and land based,” explains Mark Murray-Brown, Centre Manager. “But we are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from businesses and organisations in the South of England looking to offer their staff ‘something different’ in the way of team-building, with an ever-diminishing budget. We realise that we are perfectly positioned to meet this increase in demand and we are able to offer a tailor-made day in an idyllic setting. Cobnor can offer groups, ranging from 8 to 100 people, a team-building experience that is affordable and fun as well as achieving the desired purpose of getting teams to work more effectively together.”

Companies and organisations work with the instructors at Cobnor to plan their bespoke day around a variety of activities, which could include: sailing, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, mountain biking, archery, low ropes, orienteering and raft building. There is also optional on-site catering and a residential block. Cobnor is served by good road and rail links to London, Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex.

After attending a corporate activities day last year, Vanessa Aquilina, a teacher from Bosham Primary School, said: “We had a fantastic corporate day at Cobnor. What a wonderful programme you put together for us! It was extremely well organised, and the lunch on the beach was superb. What a great way to spend a day … and team build with your colleagues at the same time.”

Should you wish to find out more about our team-building activities or make a booking, please call us on: 01243 572791 or email: sail@cobnor.com.

Christmas is just around the corner and the Cobnor team, like you, plan ahead for the coming year so that we know what’s what. Now, you’ll find our new Course Programme online so whether you’re looking to brush up on your sailing skills or your New Year’s resolution will be to get outdoors more, take a look at our new brochure and see what tickles your fancy. Here are some of the highlights from the 2012 Course Programme to whet your appetite:

Holiday Activities

Throughout the Summer Holidays Cobnor Activities Centre offers a range of camps and activity weeks: Summer Camps, Expedition Camps, Residential Sailing Weeks and Multi-Activity Weeks. These fully supervised programmes are designed to help further the outdoor education and outdoor activity skills of children aged 8-16 years.

Children will not only get to enjoy their favourite activities, from canoeing and sailing to archery and mountain biking, but will also benefit from the expertise of our qualified instructors. They will have the opportunity to try new things and meet new people, away from home in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Our Expedition Camps, for 14-16 year olds, also include spending nights away from the Centre’s base and taking part in activities further afield. This encourages independence as well as focussed learning about the outdoors.

We are also offering Multi-Activity day programmes over the Easter Holidays and October Half Term.

Sailing

We offer a variety of sailing courses for you and your children, from the Youth Sailing Scheme to the Adult Sailing Scheme. Whether you are beginners or improvers, our qualified and experienced instructors will certainly maximise your confidence on the water and improve your sailing skills.

As a RYA recognised sailing centre, with a full fleet including Laser Picos, RS Fevas and Bosun Dinghies, we’ll make sure you gain experience in varying wind and sea conditions, as well as knowledge of the boats and your surroundings.

Paddlesports

Paddlesports offered at Cobnor Activities Centre include canoeing and kayaking. Our paddlesport fleet includes something for everyone, regardless of ability or level: open canoes, kayaks, sit-on kayaks and sea kayaks.

We now run informal sessions on a series of evenings and weekends with the option to complete your way through the Paddle Power or National Paddlesport Scheme.

Powerboating

Would you like to get behind the wheel of a powerboat and learn a new skill? Cobnor offers RYA Powerboat Level 2 for those aged 14 years onwards, a course which provides the skills and background knowledge essential for any competent powerboat driver.

We also offer the RYA Safety Boat Course, which introduces the techniques used in powerboats escorting racing fleets of dinghies and windsurfers, providing safety and rescue cover for training fleets and assisting in race management for those aged 16 and over.

VHF and First Aid

Cobnor Activities Centre offers RYA First Aid Certificates and RYA VHF Short Range Certificates, meaning you can gain working knowledge of first aid for people using small craft, support skippers and learn the procedures for operation of VHF short-range radio.

Saturday Sessions

New to Cobnor for 2012 are Saturday Sessions. These include our popular Informal Kayaking on a Saturday morning and an additional bi-weekly Informal Sailing session, designed to give you the opportunity to progress your skills, without the pressure and structure of a certificated course.

Why don’t you come along to try a new activity? Come once, or come along every week, to really brush up on your skills. As well as the Informal Sessions we are running a Saturday Afternoon Club for under 16s, which will run for 6 weeks and include multi-activities such as: sailing, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, climbing, archery and raft building.

Instructor Courses

Cobnor Activities Centre has all you need to become an RYA sailing instructor, a BCU paddlesport coach or a British Schools Cycling Association Mountain Bike Leader. A career in the outdoors is not only a lot of fun but it’s also extremely challenging and rewarding.

You should be competent in the discipline you are training for before you sign up for a course and once there you will be provided with practical experience as well as in-depth theory to allow you to succeed as an activity instructor at Cobnor and beyond.

Bespoke Bookings

Our bespoke bookings are designed to meet your exact outdoor activity requirements. We can offer bookings to school groups, community groups, corporate groups, birthday party groups, Hen and Stag groups and many others too. It really is up to you!

We can put together a package comprising any of the following activities:

• Sailing

• Kayaking

• Canoeing

• Climbing

• Mountain Biking

• Archery

• Low Ropes

• Problem Solving and Initiative Games

• Raft Building

Whether you want fun-packed team building or group chill-out time, contact us with your requirements or let us know the gist and we’ll put together the perfect activities schedule. You can stay in our newly refurbished accommodation over night or join us for the day, you can choose to self-cater or we’ll provide food for you; the beauty is in the flexibility!

Residential Facilities

Our residential facilities are ideal as a base as we are easily accessible from many areas along the South Coast, including Chichester and Portsmouth.

There are three residential options for you to choose from: Log Cabins, The Jubilee Building and Camping. Any of our residential facilities can be combined with a Bespoke Booking or rented as standalone accommodation.

We also have excellent educational and meeting room facilities, including two classrooms with full IT access and support.

Cobnor Chairboat

The Cobnor Chairboat is specially designed for wheelchair users and others with limited mobility so that getting out and about on the water is accessible to all, but it has much more than this to offer…

Our Chairboat offers a comfortable ride, no matter what your age or ability. It is ideal for those interested in nature and photography. It would even make the perfect vessel for a special occasion, such as showing off the bride and groom on their big day.

The boat is wide and stable as well as being closer to the water than traditional tour boats, allowing passengers to make the most of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

You can download the full 2012 Course Programme here. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Cobnor’s Family Activity Day (previously Family Fun Day) is making a return this year on Saturday 10^th September. All families are welcome to visit Cobnor Activities Centre between 9.00 and 16.30 and join the Friends of Cobnor as they host their annual fundraising event in support of Cobnor Activities Centre. You have the option to take part in any of the following challenging and exciting outdoor activities, for just £5 per session:

• Archery
• Bosun Sailing
• Climbing
• Kayaking
• Open Canoeing
• Harbour Tours

The activities will be run as taster sessions so they’re an ideal place to start if you’ve never tried your hand at sailing before or if you’re looking to improve your aim in archery, for example. There will also be additional activities and stalls, such as DillyWorm Crafts, available in our field. You can also enjoy homemade cakes, sandwiches and other refreshments throughout the day.

Pre-Register your interest by contacting Cobnor Activities Centre on: 01243 572791 or email: sail@cobnor.com.

This creative writing event is taking place at Cobnor over the Bank Holiday weekend, from the evening of Friday August 26^th and all day Saturday and Sunday and it’s a writing retreat with outdoor activities for that little extra creative inspiration…

We are providing the accommodation and facilities for the Writers’ Retreat and as Cobnor is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty writers will not only have the opportunity to take in the stunning surroundings but they’ll also get the chance to get stuck in to some outdoor activities. A powerboat trip, a coastal walk and an informal kayaking lesson are all on the cards for those writers that want to get out from behind their desks and get some inspiration from the Great Outdoors.

The event will kick off with a Pimm’s reception, informal networking, inspirational talks from professional writers and a book signing on Friday evening, designed to give local writers, publishers and creatives the opportunity to meet likeminded people. A writing and publishing panel talk will take place, offering an enlightening discussion between award-winning local writers Gabrielle Kimm (His Last Duchess, Sphere, 2010 and The Courtesan’s Lover, Sphere, 2011) and Isabel Ashdown (Glasshopper, Myriad Editions, 2009 and Hurry Up and Wait, Myriad Editions, 2011) and their editors. There will also be a raffle in aid of charity with some great prizes, including a voucher for half a day sailing donated by Cobnor Activities Centre. While the number of guests on the Writers’ Retreat weekend is limited, so that they get the very best writing experience possible, Friday evening’s event is open to the public for just £15 a ticket and limited tickets are still available.

Aspiring writers will have plenty of opportunity to brush up on their penmanship throughout the weekend. As well as plenty of free time to get pen to paper, Gabrielle Kimm is giving a creative writing workshop and Isabel Ashdown is giving a workshop to help writers develop their characters. There will also be talks from local writers, such as Stewart Ferris (Unusual Character Names for Writers, e-book, 2010; How to Publish Your Own Book, Summersdale, 2008; How to be a Writer, Summersdale, 2005; How to Get Published, Summersdale 2005), on the agenda. Boat trips to local points of natural and historical interest, such as East Head and Bosham Church, are planned too.

An exhibition of art will take place throughout the weekend, including Lorrie Whittington’s Sea Dreams: Exhibition of Paintings and Illustrations. This is a stunning collection in hues of purple, blue and green. The artwork will be on display to inspire the creatives and it will also be on sale so that they can take their inspirations home.

Cobnor Activities Centre’s Bryn Jones is so excited about the prospect of this event that he started getting all creative yesterday. Bryn donned his beret, coined himself a “Famous Welsh Poet”, and came up with this verse that’s loosely related to the haiku:

Water breaks

The sound is heard

I see the beauty

We’ll let you judge this particular literary phenomenon! Don’t be put off though; this “Famous Welsh Poet” is not on the bill. To book tickets for the weekend or for the Friday evening, please contact Katy on: 01243 533421 or email: katy@chichestercopywriter.co.uk.

Summer Camps, Multi-Activity Camps and Residential Sailing Camps run throughout the Summer Holidays at Cobnor Activities Centre. Campers get to take part in all sorts of outdoor activities, including sailing, kayaking and climbing throughout their stay at the Centre. We’re always striving to create the best experiences for Summer Campers so we regularly run evening trips to local highlights (great British weather permitting), such as East Head, and last Monday was no exception.

We thought it would be a great idea for our roving reporter to go out and about with the children and their watch-leaders to see what they get up to on a typical evening trip and here’s what she saw…

At around 19.00 a fleet of boats, including the Cobnor Chairboat and various other powerboats, left Cobnor for a leisurely cruise through Chichester Harbour in the late sunshine. All the time, we kept our eyes out for seals as the tide was fairly low and the conditions perfect but luck was not with us this time.

The boats arrived around 30 minutes later at beautiful East Head and the children were dropped off on the beach, where they were able to disembark safely and gather their belongings. Watch leaders then rounded up their troops and headed eagerly for the sand dunes to prepare for the games ahead.  

A sea mist came over, which added an air of mystery to events and, of course, made it all the more enjoyable for a bunch of thrill-seeking eight to thirteen year olds. Games of hide and seek and manhunt ensued then it was time for group photographs before everyone tucked into cake and drinks while watching the sunset – not at all bad, really!

After dark, the fleet made its way back to Cobnor HQ through the mist and the children were even involved in helping with night navigation. They helped the skipper spot the coloured lights and buoys that guided the group back to base and there were certainly a few keen navigators that the Centre is sure to meet again soon.

On arrival, the group trudged back up the slipway and made their way to their tents. It was most definitely time for bed and, we’re guessing, a very good sleep; the campers were spent on the freshest sea air and filled to the brim with satisfaction from their mini adventure.

Want to be a happy camper at Cobnor? Find out more about upcoming available camps and courses here or get in contact to discuss your options if you’d prefer something more bespoke.

Guests arrived from midday and signed up for the various outdoor activities laid on for after the awards ceremony, such as: pico sailing, kayaking, trips on the Cobnor Chairboat, archery and climbing. They then tucked into a hog roast with all the trimmings before settling in to watch the gold achievers receive their much deserved awards.

Mrs Lilian Holdsworth, County Committee Chairman, introduced The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Mr Gordon Tregar who presented this year’s gold achievers with their certificates and medals. There were 110 achievers this year, an amazing feat! One attendee commented that when she gained her Duke of Edinburgh gold in the late 1970s the total for that year was just 12. This shows just how popular the scheme has become and here’s hoping that it continues to flourish.

Cobnor Activities Centre’s Katie Johnson was among those who achieved The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award this year under the supervision of Mark Murray-Brown and Andy Hall. Many of this year’s achievers were supported by schools or youth clubs in West Sussex, including: Ardingly College, Bishop Luffa School, Bognor Regis Open D of E Centre, Burgess Hill School for Girls,  Central Sussex College, Chichester Youth Wing, College of Richard Collyer, Downlands Community College, Farlington School, Haywards Heath Open D of E Centre, Hazelwick School, Horsham Open D of E Centre, Holy Trinity School, Hurstpierpoint College, Imberhorne School, Kings Manor Youth Wing, Littlehampton Academy, Seaford College, Steyning Grammar VIth Form, St Paul’s Catholic College, St Philip Howard School, Worthing College and 8^th Worthing Sea Scouts. However, there were a couple of achievers who earned their gold wards independently; Fiona Geddie and Robert Horner deserve a special mention for that extra special personal achievement.

After presenting the awards The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex gave thanks to all the supporters, friends and families of those who achieved gold this year. He talked of how this is the premier award in this country to demonstrate great achievement outside of school and work and how all of those who took part in D of E will have learnt a lot about themselves, preparing them to move on in the community and help others. He stressed how it is now their responsibility to encourage others by carrying the flame of D of E, passing on the word about what the organisation does and how it can also help them to achieve.

Mr Tregar then passed back to Mrs Holdsworth who gave thanks to Mark Murray-Brown and the team at Cobnor Activities Centre for hosting the event and organising the afternoon’s activities. She also gave a special mention to Simon Whitmore and Wendy Gray, representatives from D of E West Sussex who helped to arrange the award ceremony.

Just as the activities were due to start the heavens opened but did that stop our D of E adventurers? No, they were ready and raring to go and get out on the water, up the climbing wall and out in the archery field, as true West Sussex outdoor adventurers are! There were intermittent showers throughout the afternoon but the activities ran until around 4.00pm but at least the weather added some entertainment when one keen kayaker got stuck in the mud. This called for the much tried and tested rescue mission involving catch-this-rope-and-hold-on-while-we-pull-you-in and we’re afraid our roving reporter did catch you on camera!

To find out more about how Cobnor Activities Centre could support you in achieving your Duke of Edinburgh Award email: sail@Cobnor.com. To find out about our upcoming courses, camps and activities check out our Scheduled Courses page.

Seeing as Katy Lassetter of Chichester Copywriter was so inspired to write her first novel by Cobnor’s coastal and countryside landscapes she decided that Cobnor would be the ideal place to hold the Writers’ Retreat. The peace and quiet, the new log cabins, the excellent classroom and full IT facilities all offered by Cobnor Activities Centre, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, provide the complete package to inspire any creative.

The Writers’ Retreat weekend will kick off with an event on the Friday evening including: networking, writing and publishing talks, book signings and art an exhibition of coastal art. Tickets are £15 each for the Friday evening and include a glass of Pimm’s; any local creatives are welcome to come along and enjoy a bit of culture by the water. On the Saturday and Sunday there will be a range of workshops and talks with professional writers based in the Chichester area, including Isabel Ashdown, Gabrielle Kimm and Melanie Penycate. There will also be plenty of free writing time to help guests brush up on their penmanship and get those chapters finished. Weekend places start from £200 and include accommodation, food, workshops, activities and more.

What’s more, this is a writers’ retreat with a difference so wordsmiths will have the opportunity to experience Cobnor Activities Centre’s other facilities and equipment when they take a powerboat trip to either historical Bosham or naturally beautiful East Head; both locations will make excellent creative writing inspirations! There will also be the chance for them to try their delicate writers’ hands at kayaking and even indulge in an aromatherapy massage or a rekei treatment, provided by Cobnor’s own Quintin Macmorland, to help boost their creativity.

Does a Writers’ Retreat at Cobnor sound right up your street?

Contact Katy@ChichesterCopywriter.co.uk or call: 01243 533421 to book a place on the weekend or to purchase a ticket for the Friday evening. Find the full schedule for the weekend here.

This annual event is organised to raise money for Cobnor Activities Centre, Christian Youth Enterprises and the Racecourse Sanctuary. Combining live music with outdoor activities, Cobstock has taken place at Cobnor for the past three years and has proved a great fundraising success as well as a huge hit with guests.

The action began on Friday afternoon as campers arrived and set up ready for the weekend ahead. After booking places on the activities they most wanted to experience, from both land-based and water-based, Friday evening offered a range of music from local bands and a fantastic festival vibe. Guests had the choice of staying on the campsite, staying in Cobnor Activities Centre’s log cabins or staying on CYE’s T.S Resolute.

Saturday Cobstockers rose early to make the most of the day’s activities. This year guests of all ages and abilities could choose from the following:

• Bosun sailing
• Wayfarer sailing
• Archery
• Rock climbing and abseiling
• Kayaking
• Open canoeing
• Chichester Harbour tour on the Cobnor Chairboat

Outdoor activities ran throughout Saturday, despite the somewhat blustery conditions. The wind meant that the sailing instructors, kayaking instructors and safety boat team had to work harder than usual and they sought out sheltered parts of the harbour to make it easier on guests where possible. The conditions certainly made things that little bit more interesting out on the water and even lead to an exciting capsize rescue mission – don’t fear, no one was harmed, it was all taken in the stride of our brave adventurers!

The live music began at 13.00 and played until midnight and the bar was open this whole time, offering adults such delights as Chucklehead Cider. The kids didn’t miss out though as they could indulge in locally made organic ice cream from Caroline’s Dairy, offering delicious flavours such as lemon meringue, mint choc chip and rhubarb – yum!

Here’s what just one happy Cobstocker had to say: “Fantastic activities, so well planned and executed can’t wait for next year.” Nicola Gouldstone, St Margaret’s, Twickenham.  

Have you got anything you’d like to say about the live music and outdoor activities at this year’s Cobstock 3? Please leave a comment below, we love to hear your feedback.

Cobnor Activities Centre would like to say a big thank you to all involved in organising Cobstock 3, to all those volunteers that made sure the weekend ran smoothly and to all of you that bought tickets! 

The event, which begins in August, is the longest of its kind at 40,000 miles. The fleet, made up of 68ft racing yachts, will stop at 15 ports around the world before arriving back in the UK in July 2012.

This is the only global ocean race open to all, regardless of, nationality, background and sailing ability. It was established by the legendary Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who became the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world in 1969.

This is Olly’s fifth year with the Clipper Race. He joined the training team after working at the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and with disadvantaged young people through the Cirdan Sailing Trust. Olly has been involved in training Clipper crew members for the past two years and decided it was about time he lead a crew through the world’s this epic adventure.

He is joining an elite team of international sailors, appointed as a result of a rigorous selection process and said of the news:

“I couldn’t believe it to begin with – it’s a massive opportunity so I was absolutely delighted.”

Olly was introduced to sailing by his father when he was a boy. You too could start sailing today with Cobnor Activities Centre and aim for achievements such as this. It’s not too late to get involved with sailing, power boating, kayaking or canoeing, whatever your age or ability.  

Starting from next week we have RYA sailing evening courses for beginners and improvers. We also have loads more courses, camps and sessions available, find out more here: http://www.cobnor.com/scheduled-courses/.

Photo courtesy of Onedition.

Part 3 – The Pride of Sheppy

A description of the Pride of Sheppy as she was in those early days won’t come amiss. As an old Thames barge built around 1898 flush-decked with a long cargo steal coaming with its timber hatch boards and a fore-hatch in the boughs. Aft, there was a recently built wheelhouse, which performed the twin duties of an office (mine) and contained steps leading to the aft part of the hull. The petrol-driven bilge pump was here. Moving forward, after ducking one’s head where the fuse box for all the electrics was, one entered the main living area with benches and tables ending up to starboard with the galley which was fitted out with an electric cooker, had hot and cold water, as well as a sink and cabinets for storage.  A very large fridge was aft alongside the electrics.

The sleeping areas were forward of the galley, tiny twin-berths to port for the instructors and to starboard two large cabins, one for the girls and one for the boys. And I seemed to spend rather a lot of time masking up the mini holes in the dividing bulkhead- tut, tut! Right forward was the original crew’s cabin with access to the deck above.

The original conversion was carried out by members of the Barge Sailing Club in the winter of 1963/4, in that very Arctic whether that arrived on Boxing Day and didn’t give up until late March. One can imagine what it was like having to start off by clearing all the old gravel cargo from the bilges below before even a start could be made fitting it out as living quarters for the sailing courses to come. How Ted Amos and his mixed group of helpers coped in that awful winter I shall never know. The members of Barge Sailing Club deserved the facilities that they received in later years.

My first job under instruction from a very senior member of the management committee was to fit secure railings to the gangplank, connecting the barge to the bank to aid access to the interior of the barge I cut away part of the hatchboards, a new raised sliding hatch with sensible steps leading below, I must admit I was encouraged to fit this new hatch so that it helped the unfortunate bod on that particular duty to carry an overfull Elson container from alongside the instructors’ cabins ashore to be emptied in a pit that it was my job to provide, funny thing about these pits I had to dig, some would drain away in no time, so allowing constant refilling other would fill up and stay filled up. Yet, they were almost alongside one another. Blessed be the day when a new sewage processing Oxigest plant was installed. I often wondered in later years whether the occupants of tents pitched on top of these pits were ever aware of what was below.

What’s going on at Cobnor Activities Centre today?

Interested in learning to sail? Striving to improve on your canoeing or kayaking? Want to become accomplished in archery? The Cobnor Activities 2011 programme is out now, check it out at: http://www.cobnor.com/uploads/programme.pdf.