More work at Innerwick Grounds thanks to Landscape & Countryside team. December 5, 2008
Posted by Bill in : Innerwick Outdoor Centre, Outdoor Learning , 4commentsFantastic work at Innerwick grounds last Friday by the Landscape & Countryside Team meant further progress for the grounds for awareness plan for Innerwick Outdoor CentreGrounds. This has built on the amazing work already achieved by VDEL and the CSV Innerwick make a difference volunteer day.
The team did some work as part of a training day based at the centre. This included a new hazel fence, bird boxes, bat boxes, bird feeders and more planting. This further adds to connecting the centre to the immediate outdoor environment and continues to encourage bio diversity at the centre.
The good work continues and now the full recycling and compost facilities are present we hope to go forward with our Eco-Centre Award once we can sort out or energy problem. A turn it off campaign is helping but aging heaters continue to challenge us.
Eco Centre Registration for Innerwick Outdoor Centre. December 10, 2007
Posted by Bill in : Innerwick Outdoor Centre, Outdoor Learning , 2comments
We have just registered Innerwick Outdoor Centre on the Eco Centre Scheme. It’s going to be interesting going for full registration (i.e. green flag) as it’s an unstaffed centre, which will bring it’s own problems to completing the award. We are positive we can acheive the full award and are going for it. We have completed our eco audit and hope to get the eco policy up and running soon. Visitors can recycle now which is a step forward and we have managed to reduce energy use. We do need a lot of work in the grounds and are always looking for ideas and visiting groups to get involved. Unlike the Eco schools we have to go straight for Green Flag, i.e. no bronze or silver awards. If you want to get involved during your stay at the centre please let me know.
Innerwick Web Site - Marketing continues…… February 19, 2007
Posted by Bill in : Innerwick Outdoor Centre, Outdoor Learning , 10comments
I have started putting together a website to help market the Innerwick Outdoor Centre.
http://www.innerwickoutdoorcentre.ik.org/
This is as a result of past and present discussions and as a result of looking at the marketing (see earlier post). Have also put link on the site for pdf flyer - just updating the previous flyer with a view to sending out again. I Can see a need to market the centre to various curriculum departments for use as a field centre/study base, however their may also be a need to address teaching staff willingness to run residential trips?. Great chat with Ewan Macintosh http://edu.blogs.com/edublogs/ too (thanks Ewan). As a result has got the brain working on other ways to market. Ewans knowledge of using It as a tool have been very useful -will hope to visit a group at the centre soon to get some podcasts on their thoughts on the centre and the activities they have been taking part in.
I intend the website to have just plain concise information and images on the centre and when time allows make more information on local amenities and teaching facilities, i.e. natural environment, archeology, mueseums (John MuirBirthplace for example), activities available in area. I suspect that much of the customer base will continue to come from out of the authority and perhaps much of our marketing could be directed towards that end. I do worry that we are perhaps thinking too small, could be an ideal link with American Schools i.e. John Muir link. Also a need to update links to directories that Innerwick is mentioned in. Alastair (PT) spent a lot of time in the past on this. A quick google search and an update email to all should cover most of it.More on this later once the website is complete, however feel free to use the link and read the flyer and make comments.
Innerwick Marketing February 7, 2007
Posted by Bill in : Innerwick Outdoor Centre, Marketing, Outdoor Learning , 2comments
I have been busy looking at ways to try and market Innerwick Outdoor Centre.(see www.eloe.ik.org) Its a residential only centre, mainly used by school and community groups.
We have just had lottery grant that aided the renovation and upgrading. Bookings are coming in but still a need to get it running up to capacity. Great however to re-visit the marketing mix. The 4P’s are always tough to mix for success. Or is it the 5 P’s I.e. Product, promotion, price, place (and people). It’s a good model to work from and most organisations seem to use it (Including East Lothian Council). I do feel its a little simplified and I believe designed in the early days of Marketing and aimed at physical products. It is a great tool however to get the mind focusing on strategies for developing the product.I am a little concerned that I won’t be able to apply enough time to the project- but I will give it my best shot in the time available.
