Sandstone Award - History
In the 1980s the only available climbing qualification was the MIC or a Guides Carnet. This left a huge area below these levels where there was no effective certification. The MIC involved (as it still does) a high standard of climbing and a section including Scottish winter mountaineeering.
It was recognised around the late 80s that awards were needed for different levels of instruction, as in other sports. during this period and into the 1990s, the MIA (the MIC without the winter component) and the SPSA were introduced. The SPSA (now just 'SPA') required lead climbing and the placement of runners, neither of which is either needed nor allowed on southern sandstone crags.
During this period local authorities in the south east recognised the need for a climbing award enabling instructors in the region, many of them highly experienced but with no formal qualification given the lack of courses available, to teach climbing on the unique situation of the southern sandstone crags.
The skills required on the sandstone are more akin to an outdoor version of a climbing wall. All the crags are relatively small and of moderate height; they have plentiful tree and bolt belays and are straightforward to set up climbs and supervise groups.
A meeting of local heads of outdoor departments at County Councils and other interested parties such as charities, commercial providers and voluntary organisations was held at Harrisons Rocks hosted by Terry Tullis. A representative from the Sports Council attended. A common set of standards was agreed, and councils from then on administered the award themselves, running courses and assessments and issuing their own certificates.
Over the years demand for the award initially remained steady, but there have also been a number of new awards introduced. Commercial companies now have 'in-house' awards run by MI holders, and some instructors gained the new SPA award. Most councils let the award fade away in the light of these new avenues, or for other reasons. Currently Kent County Council still run the award and it is still very strong in Kent, but of concern to those in East and West Sussex was that these councils dropped the award citing lack of demand in 2008. Brighton and Hove never administered the award as it was a more recent local authority, formed after the Sandstone Award was started.
Interested parties got together in summer 2008 to re-form the award in the area, keen to support and not supplant Kent's continuing courses, but seeing a need for those in Sussex to have a more local provider available.