Girlguiding UK Climbing and Abseiling Scheme

This scout site has a scaffold abseil tower with one face with climbing holds attached. They have their own instructional staff (don't forget to insist on instructors with SPA or a Guide Association qualification, not Scout Form M).

Outside instructors are welcome and the GA Level 1 Award should be acceptable - call the warden to check first.

Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, Stowmarket

Level 1

Gainsborough Road, Stowmarket. Tel: 01449 674980

This leisure centre has a surprisingly good small climbing wall called 'The Cragg'. Open 10a.m. - 10p.m. every day, there's a maximum session time when busy of 1.5 hours. Groups need to book in advance on 01449 742811. There is no equipment for hire.

Instructional staff are available; the centre will accept the GA Level 1 Award if you show them your certificate.

Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre

SPA

Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3TT. Tel: 01284 753496 Contact: Janis Jefferson

This Leisure Centre has an old style brick and incuts climbing wall of distinctly average quality for climbing - it is one of the very old walls and is a part of a sports hall facility with badminton courts (see photo); it is also therefore more difficult to book as it can't be used when other sports are using the hall.

Information was hard to obtain as few people use the wall, so no-one at the centre seems to be aware of climbing requirements. If you are local, it would be best to persevere with the management and discover the conditions necessary to use the wall. Please let us know how you get on!

This wall has been designated as by use for SPA by the Guide Association; this is because you need to solo or lead to fix ropes; and there are large sharp-edged ledges for guides to injure themselves or 'freeze' on, increasing the likelihood of rescue being needed.

Framlingham Scout & Guide HQ

Level 1

Badingham Road, Framlingham

Group Scout Leader Keith McMillan 01728 724560

This joint unit has a hall with a very small climbing facility on an end wall. There are bolt on holds on a brick wall and krabs for ropes set into a steel girder at the top. A very simple facility. Equipment is available, and the site are fully aware of the GGUK climbing scheme so will ensure correct instruction.

Boxford Spinney

Level 1

Fen Street, Boxford, Sudbury, Suffolk.

Warden - Mr. Denzil Smith

This site has an abseil tower, two climbing trees and a crate challenge. Please note that the crate challenge is a 'High Ropes activity'.

The abseil tower is a scaffold tower with ladder access internally to the top; be careful when using these and in particular belay participants to the top if they are young or conditions are wet or windy. Tie yourself on at all times when working on the tower.

The climbing trees will be modified with improved belays at the top and some modifications to the holds in one case before the 2011 season.

The crate challenge will be modified prior to the 2011 season too; please ask the Warden whether this is the case before proceeding.
The site have GUK Level 1 qualified staff - these can instruct the climbing trees or the abseil tower. Intructors for the crate challenge will need to hold the in-house qualification for this activity assessed by the Technical Advisor.

Boxford Abseil Tower