It has been a busy time for anniversaries for youth organisation Woodcraft Folk.
A few weeks back the charities Height Hate Centre celebrated 25 years of service and its Lockerbrook Outdoor Centre turns 60 in 2024 and most recently, Woodcraft Folk’s Cudham centre had its 50 anniversary with the charity reaching its centenary milestone in 2025!
To mark the occasion, Cudham celebrated with volunteers, friends, family, their young members and the local community with a big birthday bash on Saturday 29th June.
The weekend was well attended with over 50 people joining in the celebrations. There were talks, nature walks, dancing, a tombola and more! The centre was joined by the West Kent Badger group who brought an engaging display and gave an informative talk as well as taking volunteers around the site to search for badger signs.
The local co-operative brought along branded gifts for the visitors and this was very welcome touch especially as the centre has held long relationships with the local co-ops.
The centre also took the opportunity across the weekend to officially launch its Heritage Lottery Fund project. People gathered during the event to share memories, donate photographs and memorabilia to the HLF funded Cudham collection.
A highlight of the event was also Bev, a local mindfulness coach and wellbeing specialist who chatted with visitors about the sheer joy of nature and how they can all add some time in our day to enjoy the outdoors.
Woodcraft members past and present including Andy Pericy, Woodcraft ex General Secretary and Billie Jo Brown the charities Senior Management Team Assistant gathered from across the region to make merry and take part in Woodcraft Folk activities including a wonderful dance session led by one of Cuahm Centre’s original volunteers, Peter Dixon. Attendees shared cooking and craft activities and the evening was finished off with a traditional campfire ceremony and lots of singing into the night. Deborah Mccahon Woodcraft folk CEO and Joe Bailey, Centres link form General council, joined in for the evening celebration.
Tracy Cleveland ,Centre Co-ordinator says:
“Our anniversary event was a huge success and it was lovely to have Woodcraft Folk members past and present attending along with current staff and a rep from the council plus the local badger group and Bev the local mindfulness coach. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate 50 wonderful years at Cudham supporting young people as well as launch our exciting HLF funded project.”
Lots of visitors said how much they had enjoy being able to share happy memories of Cudham as well as feeding into plans the charity’s 100 year celebrations in 2025. I have such found memories of the place namly attending as an Elfin myself and being taken on a nature walk by volunteers Owassia and Violet and it has been a pleasure to end up working at the centre myself and give back to young people after it giving me so much when I was younger. Here’s to the next 50 years!”
Cudam is open to book to the public for youth groups, schools, families, businesses and more! Up to 40 can sleep in the dorms available. There is a main hall with an amazing inglenook fireplace, cosy corner with soft seating plus chairs and tables for activities/indoor dining. The cosy onsite cabin, Dixon Lodge, provides a separate space to run activities, hold private meetings, have a creche or watch the local wildlife. The centre is your space to use how you wish! There is also a spacious green area suitable for group activities and camping.
To enquire about a booking or to find out more, head to https://cudhameac.org.uk/