A ‘cracking’ great Easter on and by the water – The Mount Batten Watersports & Activities Centre

Families from across the city had a ‘cracking’ good Easter weekend on the water with thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the overall Plymouth Sound National Marine Park project.

Working alongside the team here at the Centre, local groups including Friends and Families of Special Children and Promoting Children in Plymouth were able to visit us and get onto, and close by, the waters of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park with activities including bellboating, beach cleans and heritage tours.

Fran Sampson, Operations Lead at Friends and Families of Special Children:

“We were thrilled to participate in the first “Get into Maritime” Plymouth Sound National Marine Park activity day at the Mount Batten Centre. We had two separate groups of young people participating in activity programmes – our Adventure Club, which provides activities for neurodivergent young people, tried bellboating in the Cattewater Harbour and a beach clean on Batten Bay beach.

We are also working in partnership with FotoNow CIC and the Centre to deliver a marine photography project, with a small group of young people developing their photographic and digital engagement skills and developing their understanding of marine conservation.”

Kerry Bidewell, Plymouth Children in Partnership Development Manager:

“As always it is such a positive experience working with Sam and the Mount Batten Centre team. Working together always creates a bigger impact and the Family Activity Day has engaged and excited so many families during the Easter weekend.”

Gemma, who attended one of the activity days with her children said:

“My two children and I attended your family day. It was AMAZING! The staff who ran the sessions were brilliant, friendly, informative and kind. The activities we did were very well organised and enjoyable. I have a huge fear of water and they made me feel confident and safe. Thank you so much to Ellie, Maddie and Robbie [Mount Batten Centre team] for a wonderful day.”

As part of the successful The National Lottery Heritage Fund bid for Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, and thanks to National Lottery players, the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre has been able to provide these fully funded activities. The Centre will also benefit from a substantial capital works programme over the next couple of years as part of the overall transformational Plymouth Sound National Marine Park project.