LONGRIDGE ON THE THAMES

Longridge has been providing our community with access to the River Thames for nearly 100-years.  Originally it was where the residents of Marlow and Bisham learned to swim, then a Scout Boating Centre.  For the last 20-years Longridge Activity Centre has been run by the charity, Longridge On The Thames to provide adventurous activities for young people of all backgrounds and all abilities - with approaching 100,000 young people visiting the centre every year.  Those young people will all learn about risk, push their physical and mental boundaries to develop more confidence, learn about the benefits of teamwork and how to lead and influence a team.  Every young person who visits will leave the centre wiser, more confident and with a fresh perspective on our beautiful natural resources. But perhaps most of all they will have a lot of fun outside with other young people.  To be here for another 100 years we need to think BIG and future-proof the centre. There are four parts to future-proofing Longridge:

1. The roof of the Gibbs & Dandy building has failed and the building is to be demolished in November.  The other buildings, built at the same time are not far behind.  We need to replace these facilities we modular buildings that are flood proof, cheap to heat and maintain and provide facilities such as break out space, catering area, indoor accommodation and storage.  We have a lovely plan to create something that is visually appealing, easy to install and affordable at around £250k.

2.  New activities.  An outdoor swimming area.  A bouldering wall.  A new high ropes activity and new boats.  We have already raised £47k towards these activities, so plans are moving forward to get the swimming area ready for 2024.

3.  Parking.  We don't have enough parking and what we do have is badly laid out.  We want to join our two carparks together and improve safety by introducing separate entrance/exit and at the same time improve security with automatic barriers.  Doing this should actually reduce the area we need to give to parking and make the experience of parking at Longridge better.

4. Utilities.  We can't switch on everything at once at Longridge.  We don't have enough power.  Our final part of our plans is to be energy self-sufficient by 2028.

New facilities will allow young people with additional needs to have residentials at Longridge and new activities such as a bouldering wall have been requested by our visitors.  We will also want to have boat racking for personal use so that our 'members' are able to not only have VIP access to our new swimming area but also store and launch their self-powered boats from our beautiful site. Obviously, to make all of this happen we need money to pay for the equipment and facilities.  Your donation will allow this to happen and keep Longridge here for another 100-years.

To become a Longridge Member you should make a donation of at least £250, which will cover your membership fee for 2024 and 2025.  

Parking at Longridge is free in the main carpark whilst you are taking part in our activities and the overflow is for permit holders only.  For a permit, you can make a donation here - we suggest £70 for an annual permit and once you have donated let us have your car registration number.  Please remember that a permit is ONLY for the overflow carpark.

Of course, all donations are VERY MUCH appreciated - so please feel free to donate more (or less) and 100% of all donations will go towards funding Longridge's future, creating year-round facilities and new adventurous activities for all.