Cabin Opening

[Kymba]

Sorry it has taken so long to do an update. But my Mum has had a stroke so had to dash down to cornwall day after the opening. This has effected her memory and speech. So am having to deal with that on daily basis, plus having to deal with all her business and financial stuff plus making sure shes eating etc. Not easy when shes in Cornwall and I am in Kent. Am trying to get her moved back to Plymouth closer to 8 other family members, To ease the situation.

I only have a picture of me with Chris Packham as I video'd the opening and am waiting for the person who took photo's to get back off holiday. Don't think I can add the video on here.
But Just pm me with your e/mail addy if you want to see the video. Or tell me how to put it on here.

I was on cloud 9 meeting Chris, I spent quite a lot of time with him (swoon) in fact he even helped me fix the kettle so he could have a coffee..
He also said to contact him anytime for support or advice, and he signed one of my books and drew a picture in it He is such a nice friendly, down to earth bloke. I have offered to go down and help him with his woodland

I had my first paid session last Thursday since the cabin opened. I had 5 children each for a 2 hr session and one for 4 hours. They have now booked the 5 kids in for full 4 hr sessions a week Tuesday and the other for 4 hours every Thursday. The parents of 4 of kids have since rung me to say what great time kids had and that they haven't stopped talking about it.
Have had to close this week due to site manager going on holiday and telling me I can't open for the week

School have moved all goal posts now they have got the cabin,they treated me dreadfully at the opening me and a lot of other people ( including Chris) were fuming about it. (I have been used in a big way)

BUT! I have been asked to get involved at another school who have land and small woods to develope. Will talk to them in September. But have learnt so much that I will do it different this time. I realise how naive and gullible I was.
Also I am now seriously looking for my own woodland, so I can have my own centre.



Show he did before opening



me and chris packham

I will add more photo's later this week

[galanthus]

Really sorry to hear about your mum and that the school have treated you in a poor way You've done a fab job with the project and I'm sure your mum couldn't ask for a better daughter to look after her and her affairs while she recovers.

As for Chris...........well.......... I am soooo jealous, he is gorgeous

best wishes and take care

lily x

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Kymba

I had my first paid session last Thursday since the cabin opened. I had 5 children each for a 2 hr session and one for 4 hours. They have now booked the 5 kids in for full 4 hr sessions a week Tuesday and the other for 4 hours every Thursday. The parents of 4 of kids have since rung me to say what great time kids had and that they haven't stopped talking about it.
Have had to close this week due to site manager going on holiday and telling me I can't open for the week

School have moved all goal posts now they have got the cabin,they treated me dreadfully at the opening me and a lot of other people ( including Chris) were fuming about it. (I have been used in a big way)

BUT! I have been asked to get involved at another school who have land and small woods to develope. Will talk to them in September. But have learnt so much that I will do it different this time. I realise how naive and gullible I was.
Also I am now seriously looking for my own woodland, so I can have my own centre.

Education is a meat grinder that eats all who touch it at the moment. Sadly, those who are giving you a bad time probably have a worse one coming, and so on down the line. Sorry to sound so negative, but enthusiasam and dedication is often not well rewarded.

[Kymba]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Education is a meat grinder that eats all who touch it at the moment. Sadly, those who are giving you a bad time probably have a worse one coming, and so on down the line. Sorry to sound so negative, but enthusiasam and dedication is often not well rewarded.

I know what you mean, but the one thing it has given me is more determination
And I am going to carry on working there to build up my client base and gain more experience, and if the first session is any thing to go on it is going to be lots of fun and rewarding. And it is good for my Portfolio.

[pammosley]

Sorry to hear about your Mom Kymba, hope she improves soon.
You had a great day by the sounds of it
Don`t let the schools attitude get you down, keep fighting
Mmmmmm....Chris Packham

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Kymba

I know what you mean, but the one thing it has given me is more determination
And I am going to carry on working there to build up my client base and gain more experience, and if the first session is any thing to go on it is going to be lots of fun and rewarding. And it is good for my Portfolio.

Good for you, we need more Kymbas.

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Good for you, we need more Kymbas.

I agree totally. After all the hard work you have given to the project, the school should be ashamed of them selves. Don't give up, one of thise children might be the next Chris Packham or Ellie Harrison.

Good luck for the future Kymba

BWD

[Kymba]

Thank you Meta and Billy
Just had my 8th Booking for next Tuesday plus 4 for next Thursday.
Plus one of birthday party bookings has said my price wasn't right (To cheap) (Didn't expect that!!)

[tufftie]

Sounds like you've had a rough time of it. Keeping your pecker up (as my aunt used say!) is quite difficult at times - all you can do is keep going.... The school should be ashamed and I thought of petitions and things but would you really want to run things alongside that type of person? A woodland sounds good - there is a website with them on will look it out for you and pm you with it over the weekend (pm and nudge me if you don't hear as I can be forgetful!) - most don't give you planning permission though. Good Luck xxx

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by tufftie

A woodland sounds good - there is a website with them on will look it out for you and pm you with it over the weekend (pm and nudge me if you don't hear as I can be forgetful!) - most don't give you planning permission though. Good Luck xxx

this the one ? Woodlands.co.uk - Woods for sale throughout the UK

also its worth checking out the association of polelathe turners and green woodworkers website www.bodgers.org.uk as a lot of their members have woodlands and might be ameneable to letting you (or renting) use theirs for education purposes.

planning permision wise - its very difficult to get PP for a permanent structure in a woodland (very good account of this in Ben laws "a woodland way" ) but benders, yurts, sheds (under a certain height), and static caravans are temporary structures and dont usually need PP.

the advantage of going in with someone who is running a working wood is that you wouldnt need "change of use" either.

[Kymba]

Cheers Tufftie and Eeyore
I am registered with woodland.co.uk and get regular updates from them. I also may have a possiblity of sharing a woodland in Ashford kent with someone who is buy one next year. I am also going to do public appeal in Local Kent papers as there maybe someone with a woodland that they would be willing to let me use or rent. I hope to put a large (ish) Static caravan and turn it into a classroom/ education centre.
I am also in middle of composing a letter/ business plan to send to local farms etc that open to tourists and have cafes and shops, to see if they would be interested in me running sessions, so parents can look around and have a coffee in peace while children are doing bug hunting and other session. I could be a Mobile wildlife centre
So I do have a few other options.

[Cheryl]

I'm afraid I can't offer any practical help but would like to wish you good luck for your future projects Kymba - what a shame that the schools' attitude was less than desirable, glad it hasn't dampened your enthusiasm and committment

I hope you get things worked out OK for your Mum and hope her health improves soon.

[Kayleigh]

Shame on the school

Hope your mum gets well soon Kym good news about the other school and glad you got on well with Chris..
If your video is on youtube or the like you add a link to your thread...
I will look forward to seeing it.