Above: Perlethorpe Environmental Education Centre as seen from the churchyard opposite. Countless generations of Perlethorpe schoolchildren have crawled along the long lower branch of that Lime tree.
When Perlethorpe Primary School closed in 1984, both the land and building reverted to the ownership of Thoresby Estate, Lady Rozelle. As has been mentioned elsewhere on this blog, Lady Rozelle was already a keen supporter of childhood education through her 1970s scheme to rehabilitate “East End boys” in care. Negotiations between Thoresby Estate and Nottinghamshire Education Committee soon took place, and it was agreed that this once busy primary school, could be used as a field study centre.
In 1985 the centre offered the opportunity for groups of children, perhaps from a mostly city or town background, to visit designated areas in the park’s woodlands, farm land, and river. It proved a great success. Between then and now (2024), the centre has gone on to develop and offer a rich, broad curriculum, incorporating such subjects as Archaeology, Geology, Art, Bushcraft, Saxons & Vikings, Victorian days, World War, Art, and of course, the Nature Studies so enjoyed by the estates own children in many decades past.
Above: Roof repairs, 2015.
Above: Rear view, 2017.
Above: 2021. Solar panels being fitted for an environmentally friendly Environmental Education Centre.
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Thoresby Park History blog is suitable for all ages.