Corf Campsite
More information will be added here.
Overview
The "Spiritual home" of Isle of Wight Scouts has to be Corf Campsite.
Situated on the North West coast of the Island, to the North East of the village of Shalfleet.
HISTORY OF CORF CAMPSITE
Corf was called Corve or Corfe until after 1937. Its name was changed when Ordnance Survey completed a survey of the South Coast and ratified the names of several Hampshire & Isle of Wight towns/villages that had similar names and/or more than one spelling.
Corf Scout Camp 1937 – 1987
From IW County Bulletin Volume 13 / 1 - written by John Wheeldon - Corf Camp Secretary
In a message to Brother Scouts in January 1937, the Island Commissioner of the day, Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Kindersley, father of the recently retired President of Island Scouting, announced that land at Corf was to be purchased for camping with the help of a generous grant from the King George V Jubilee Trust.
The Commissioner and others completed the transaction on behalf of the Isle of Wight Scout Council on 30th June 1937.
Captain Pound (Scoutleader 3rd Sandown) & Lieut-Colonel Kindersley (County Commissioner) at Corf, Whitsun 1938
It appears not to have been very long before extensive use was made of the site after a water supply was installed and plans made for a Jetty for Sea Scouts to use. The first all-Island Whitsuntide Camp was held there from 4th – 6th June 1938 and in the same year 168 Groups visited the Island for their camps, some 22 of those Groups making use of Corf. It is recorded that those who chose to make use of Corf enjoyed excellent camps.
2nd Ryde Scouts helping with the construction of one of the original jetties in 1939
Over a period of 50 years very many people, in some way or other, connected with the Scout Movement have put in a great deal of hard work in order to improve the site and it’s facilities, to make it more suitable for Scout camping and continue it’s maintenance. Originally, water and wood supplies (and perhaps a trek cart “park”) were the only facilities, but in the last 25 years toilet arrangements have been introduced and improved and indoor accommodation has enhanced the facilities. With the exception of the unfortunate wet condition of the land which we experience for much of the year, there is no doubt the site is a splendid place for Scout activities and indeed, many visiting Scouters compliment us on our site and their boys love it. On a number of occasions, to my knowledge, Corf has been revisited by Scouters and retired Scouters, to take a look at the site to which they brought their Troops to camp up to 40 years ago – some bring their gum boots!1986 has seen some 130 camps of mainland Troops on the Island, with more than half having been at Corf. Some Island Groups have made increased use of their sites and indoor facilities. So why not make arrangements to bring your Beavers, Cubs and Scouts (Venture Scouts can bring themselves) in 1987 on more occasions; but bear in mind that, as in 1938, the July/August period is often well booked by mainland Groups. Whilst the charge of 30p per head/night (plus cost of gas used) for use of the Pack Centre remains the same for Island Scouts, the Corf Committee have waived the charge of 5p per head/night for Island Scouts using their Camp Site at least during the 1987 50th Anniversary Year. None the less, please let me know well in advance of any proposed camp or day visit of any Section, otherwise if some facilities are required they may not be available.
At the time of writing, arrangements for the 1987 County Scout Camp at Spring Bank Holiday have not come to my ears – I am sure the Corf Management Committee will join me in expressing the hope that, as in 1938, 1987 will see an “All Island Spring Camp” with as many Troops as possible camping. The Cub Scout Section are already planning their 1987 events at Corf, weather and ground conditions permitting, Island use of the site may recommence in April next.
My own knowledge of Corf in past years is quite sparse – I was a Boy Scout in South Yorkshire at the time of its purchase. However, there must be several present Island members of the Island who can recollect all sorts of events and amusing incidents at Corf – so I suggest that during 1987 those who are able might like to make further contributions in future Bulletins.
NEARLY THE END FOR CORF?
From County Minutes 18/9/1974
Following the resignation of Ken Skeens (Camp Warden) and a statement that the site was deemed unsafe there was talk of closing Corf until the situation could be remedied.
The County Commissioner reported that he had received a number of letters from Scouters in response to the decision of the Extraordinary General Meeting on August 7th which was to close Corf in order to investigate the whole situation. Out of these contacts nine suggested emerged. These were: -
- Advertise the camp for sale to selected youth organisations.
- Lease the camp for a period to other youth organisations, Funds from lease to be used to pay for repairs.
- Turn the camp over to the Scout Association as a National Camp/Sailing Centre.
- Form a combined users camp – say Scouts, Guides and the County Youth Service.
- Restrict the use of the camp until the site was deemed safe; appoint a new Warden and a Service Team/Staffing level.
- Employ a full time Camp Warden on a salary and try to make the camp self-sufficient.
- Employ a full time Camp Warden on salary, raise funds every year to meet sub-contractor needs to keep the camp in shape. Rebuild and equip the shop to cover Warden’s salary and materials for renovations/new buildings. Labour to come from Scout’s parents. Any other funding requirements to come from fund-raising organised at County level.
- Turn the camp over to the County for general upkeep, maintenance and run by a County selected warden living on the site in a warden’s house (to be built). On turning the site over to the County, the Scout Association to stipulate certain requirements on areas for use, access etc., such use and access being on an unrestricted basis.
- Eliminate all temporary buildings and return the site to its original condition with the exception of the toilet and washing facilities and permit camping, without fees but with the proviso that each group be responsible for keeping the site clean and tidy. An AIC (Camping) would be appointed – his job would be to allocate sites and to inspect camps as required by HQ.
ALTAR IN MEMORY OF OFFICER
(Taken from the IW County Press 1991)
A commemorative altar will be erected at Corf Camp this autumn in memory of a long serving officer deeply involved with the scout movement on the Island.
Lieutenant Colonel O.H. “Golly” Mitchell died in October 1983, willing most of his estate to the Island Scout Association for particular use at Corf. Since that time the Island Scout Fellowship has undertaken to raise enough money for an altar as a tribute to him.
Work on the altar has already started; the foundation has been laid by three inmates from Camp Hill as part of their community service using materials given by Island Builders Ltd. The memorial will be made from Portland Stone and will be used in religious services at the campsite. As a project, the Island Venture Scouts will, under the direction of Mr. Russell Parkes, transport the finished stone from the quarry in Dorset back to the Island.
After an army career that included four years as a prisoner-of-war in Japan, Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell retired to the Island where he became heavily involved in Scouting. He was West Wight District, County and Assistant Island commissioner for training and was awarded the Medal of Merit, the Silver Acorn and the Long Service Decoration for services to the Scout Association.
FAMOUS SCOUTS HAVE VISITED CORF
In 1983 Chief Scout Michael Walsh visited IW Scouts at Corf
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Presentation at Corf to Angela Brown, 1st Chale & Niton, by Michael Walsh
In 1991 Chief Scout Garth Morrison visited IW County Scout Camp at Corf
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BP's grandson met Scouts at Corf
See more on our blog post at
https://isleofwightscoutingheritage.blogspot.com/2022/07/scouting-superstars.html
CORF IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Update Written in 2006
The earlier paragraphs gave some of the highlights of Corf in the earlier years from its acquisition in 1937. The policy for developing the site has been to improve facilities without spoiling the rustic setting. The 23 acres support 35 individual campsites of varying sizes. Island Scout groups, who are responsible for routine maintenance of their site, adopt most sites. There is a playing field (where the rabbits practice their burrowing skills) where in one corner a 30 foot (9 metre) climbing tower was built in 1996. The frame of this tower first started life on the shores of the Solent as one end of a ‘measured mile’ for large ships. The tower was refurbished in 2005 and woodpeckers have since bored holes in the wooden cladding to build nests in the cavity.
In recent years electricity was introduced to Corf, but only in the central area. This allowed training courses for Leaders to be moved from a local school to a new building - The Wheeldon Centre named after John Wheeldon, a former Corf secretary. This building was acquired from St Mary’s Hospital where it was used as a temporary Pathology Lab during the major reconstruction of the hospital complex. With the arrival of electricity, a positive decision was made not to extend lighting throughout Corf as it would spoil the natural ambience, although in 2006 solar lighting was installed in the 2 remote toilet blocks.
The Pack Holiday Centre consists of several rooms with bunk beds and a separate kitchen and is in regular use. Originally lit by gas, it was converted to electricity when the site was connected to the National Grid. The PHC can be used during the winter when the campsite is closed. Corf is on the banks of Newtown Creek adjacent to National Trust property and has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature. This restricts camping between the months of May and November.
The Mitchell Centre
2002 saw the opening of The Mitchell Centre in recognition of Corf’s major benefactor ‘Golly’ Mitchell (see above). This building replaced a collection of dilapidated huts and includes a store, tuck shop and covered area for inclement weather. in 2022 part of the centre was sectioned off as a target shooting range.
Golly Mitchell
Update Written in 2022
2009 saw IW Scouts helping John Giddings with fundraising at the Isle of Wight Festival. Proceeds were split between IW Scouts and Save the Bees. Scout money was used to buy and fit Solar Electric panels to the roof of the Wheeldon Centre.
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The Wheeldon Centre was way past its' best days and 2013 saw the results of a major fundraising drive by County Chairman David Mattinson and County Commissioner Anthony Roberts to replace it with a new building, called the Mattinson Centre, which was opened by HRH Princess Anne.
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Wildlife and Warden
Although Corf can be full of young people carrying out various and sometimes-noisy activities, wildlife is abundant. This includes rabbits, moles, red squirrels, ducks, pheasants and woodpeckers. Some of them show their presence by the damage to the grassland or buildings.
In 2013 a Bird Hide was constructed, near the Jetty at the northern point of Corf. In 2020 it was refurbished and renamed as the Roberts' Bird and Squirrel hide. Ex-County Commissioner Anthony Roberts is the local president of the Royal Society For the Protection of Birds.
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The Roberts' Bird and Squirrel hide
Other areas have been defined on the site, as you can see on the map (above), including a Camp Fire circle, Low level obstacle course, watercraft store and an Archery, Tomahawk and Angel site.
Corf has had a number of Wardens, the current warden, Barrie Price, having worked to develop an unprecedented level of site support from Scouts, Leaders and his (mostly retired Scout) support team. They do an amazing job, tackling the often contradictory requirements of Scouts, Regulatory Authorities and simple finance!
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Camp Warden Barrie Price
THE FUTURE OF CORF
The Corf team have been busy on a number of projects, including refurbishing the toilet block on the west of the site.
The Climbing tower has been out of commission for a number of years and in 2023 it will probably be taken down. A new Bouldering Wall has been operating through the summer.
As usual, through 2023 Corf will host a number of annual events including: Open Day, County Scout Camp, County Cub Camp, County Beaveree, JOTA/JOTI weekend and many smaller camps for groups and sections. Corf will also host visiting Scouts from the mainland and beyond.
Corf has a reputation of being a natural campsite, without being overdeveloped, and has given thousands of young people both from the Island and mainland an unforgettable experience. Just to think that in 1974, there were plans to dispose of the site as it was deemed (by some!) to be a burden. In future years there will still be changes to Corf, but the heritage of the last 85 years will still continue, together with the legend of the ‘Corf Hound’.