A HISTORIC Northumberland outdoor activity centre featured on Vera and Graham Norton's Forever Home has warned it could be forced to close unless local families and schools continue to support it.
Broomley Grange Residential Outdoor Activity Centre, near Stocksfield, is one of the Tyne Valley's last remaining residential outdoor centres for young people.
The 22-acre site, centred on a Victorian manor house, has doubled as a filming base for several major TV productions, including the final episode of Vera, Norton's drama Forever Home and earlier scenes from children's series Byker Grove.
Chair and site manager Alex MacLennan said the independent, not-for-profit charity has come "very close" to closure in recent years and remains "fragile" despite an encouraging rise in bookings.
"We really want to shout the story that Broomley's open," he said. "We want to stay open, and we'd love to get more bookings in over this winter period and beyond."
Owned by The Boys' Brigade but run separately by volunteer trustees, Broomley Grange is now one of the only residential outdoor activity centres left in the wider Hexham area, following the closure of Dukeshouse Wood and an Outward Bound centre in the Lake District.
The charity contracts qualified activity leaders, catering staff and cleaners, ensuring sessions are delivered safely and professionally while every penny generated is reinvested to keep improving the site.
Alex stressed that the centre is not on the verge of shutting its doors, but warned that without sustained local support, its future could again be in doubt.
He added: "We are always fragile as a small charity. Anything we make, we invest back into the site. It's not just about staying open - we've also been improving the site as well."
To help showcase what Broomley Grange offers, the charity is holding a free open day on August 22, from 10am to 4pm.
Families will be able to tour the grounds, meet staff and take part in a range of outdoor activities, with afternoon tea available between 2pm and 4pm on a pre-booked basis.
Alex said the team is particularly keen to welcome school staff and group leaders who might be considering future residentials.
"It's a chance to see what Broomley's doing, take part in some activities, and hopefully bring more bookings to a centre that exists for young people and the local community," he said.
More information about Broomley Grange, its programmes and how to book can be found at www.broomleygrange.co.uk.
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