Warwickshire councillor in charge of Marle Hall's planned closure says 'I will be shedding a tear - if it goes'

Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for education and learning admits he will shed a tear if Marle Hall - the council-owned outdoor learning centre in North Wales - is to close.

But he added that it was proving financially unsustainable to keep the 100-bed building open.

At this week’s [MON] full council meeting, Cllr Bill Gifford (Lib Dem, Leamington Milverton), asked the portfolio holder, Cllr Colin Hayfield (Con, Coleshill South and Arley), if the centre could be replicated if it remained shut - Marle Hall closed in March due to the Covid lockdown.

Cllr Hayfield said: “Marle Hall has provided a brilliant service to the pupils of Warwickshire over many, many years. That is indisputable, many people have had great experiences.

“However, we are going into a consultation period about possible closure of this facility and that is something that many of us do with a very heavy heart.

“It is just financially unsustainable. We are spending large amounts of money and the proportion of Warwickshire pupils who benefit directly from that amount is now relatively small.

"The argument would be that the same amount of money could be spent in a very different way but for the same overall purpose and would benefit a far larger number of pupils.

“It is about resources in the end and about spending those resources as wisely and effectively as possible for the maximum benefit.

"I will be shedding a tear when Marle Hall goes, if it goes. I have fond memories of the place as do my children.”

Cllr Hayfield added that schools would be made aware of what other measures could be put in place.

An online petition calling for the centre, which has provided outward bound type residential stays for the county’s schoolchildren for nearly 50 years, to be saved has so far secured nearly 3,500 signatures.

One of those was Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, who Tweeted: "Have just signed petition to save Marle Hall Centre for Outdoor Learning.

"It’s an important resource for children across Warwickshire and would be a huge loss. I urge the county council to ensure it is open for children of future generations."