Events
Enjoying the Outdoors
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Above left and centre are Maynard Road pupils in Epping Forest visiting Fred Speakman's centre at High Beach (1968). Click on the middle image above to see a British Pathe News video of their visit.
Extracts from Suntrap Field Study Centre website (Link: Suntrap)
The start of field studies
During the 1950s the London Borough of Walthamstow was a pioneer local authority in its approach to environmental education. Each day half a class of 10 year old children (about 20) would be taken to the forest to undertake field studies, their base being an old converted cow shed at Jubilee Retreat. Each class would make fortnightly visits and be taught by Fred Speakman. In the late 50s Fred acquired a property at High Beach and by 1961 another teacher was employed to work from Jubilee retreat, allowing a whole class to visit the forest. The first was Ernie Douse (a rural studies teacher) by 1962 Ernie was replaced by Ken Hoy.Then in late 1966 the Borough of Walthamstow was offered a gift-the old Suntrap Hospital. In June 1967 the London Borough of Walthamstow bought Suntrap from the Misses Brenton for the princely sum of £500. Ken Hoy became the first Head of Centre and all field study visits from Waltham Forest were now based at the Suntrap site.
Following building work to convert the old hospital the first children visited in late October 1967.
Extracts from Suntrap Field Study Centre website (Link: Suntrap)
The start of field studies
During the 1950s the London Borough of Walthamstow was a pioneer local authority in its approach to environmental education. Each day half a class of 10 year old children (about 20) would be taken to the forest to undertake field studies, their base being an old converted cow shed at Jubilee Retreat. Each class would make fortnightly visits and be taught by Fred Speakman. In the late 50s Fred acquired a property at High Beach and by 1961 another teacher was employed to work from Jubilee retreat, allowing a whole class to visit the forest. The first was Ernie Douse (a rural studies teacher) by 1962 Ernie was replaced by Ken Hoy.Then in late 1966 the Borough of Walthamstow was offered a gift-the old Suntrap Hospital. In June 1967 the London Borough of Walthamstow bought Suntrap from the Misses Brenton for the princely sum of £500. Ken Hoy became the first Head of Centre and all field study visits from Waltham Forest were now based at the Suntrap site.
Following building work to convert the old hospital the first children visited in late October 1967.
Maynard Suntrap visits
Ever since the opening of Suntrap, Henry Maynard pupils have continued to visit several times a year, and Year 6 have also camped there for three days in the Summer term.
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The above six photos were taken in the 1970's when most of the cooking was over an open fire. There was minimum shelter from the elements and campfires were always a highlight of the visit.
Some staff and ex-pupil memories
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Peter Baldwin: Me, I loved every minute of it!
Mandy Rose Cuffley: I remember being caught for putting my arm out the tent with the torch. A hand grabbed my arm and it was the teacher omg I was so scared. Rosalyn Caprice (HM Teacher): I can't imagine that there are any children who didn't enjoy Suntrap! I opted for staying in the Youth hostel with my year 6 classes! But I also camped out with other classes too! I remember the night when the tent collapsed on Alicia and I !!! And the camp fires......!!! Lorna Paterson (HM Teacher): .....And 'round the rides.' Fun days!!!! I loved Suntrap so much I left Maynard to go and work there! Clara Daniel (HM Teaching Assistant): I only stayed a night. I remember being wrapped up in my coat with my woolly hat zipped up in my sleeping bag..That was a cold night but it was fun. |
Chris Fitzgerald
I remember crossing the road and the teachers yelling "Suntrap line". Nosliw Alemap: I went camping for a week and Mr Roe kept singing, "bang bang with your hammer bang bang" And when the grass snake got out of its tank and popped out from behind a poster it scared the daylight so, out of the boys. Jasmin Gucluturk: Suntrap was the best part of junior school. Natalie Porter: I've said suntrap line to my children and they look at me like I'm mad!!!!! They may be right. Karen Gifford Toole: I remember that it was my birthday when we were there and they took me to see the Fox puppies as a birthday treat... Ann Haswell: I loved Suntrap I remember Mr Speakman and he had an eagle in a cage. |
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In many ways, little has changed over the years - the outdoor focus is as important as ever - but nowadays campers have the luxury of a large wooden shelter for cooking and eating (although the children are still expected to do the washing up!)
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