THE future of the outdoor centre at West Malvern was in the Gazette's headlines earlier this year... and not for the first time.

A look back at the front page of the paper 25 years ago this week reveals that its fate was a matter of grave concern back then.

"Urgent talks are taking place today (Friday) about the future of the county's only residential centre for wildlife studies, used by thousands of schoolchildren every year.

"The talks have been called by Hereford-Worcester education chiefs, after a report highlighting the need for expensive maintenance and repair work.

"To cope with increasing demands for places created by emphasis on practical and field work in the new GCSE curriculum - and to spruce up dilapidated wooden buildings - more teaching and domestic staff are required, it is claimed.

"Recent problems have included: "Breakdowns in gas and water supplies due to corroded pipes.

"Inadequate and inefficient heating systems, with some rooms served only by portable gas heaters, constituting a fire risk.

"Low staff morale, and difficulty attracting new workers.

"Planned development of facilities to offer training for geography teachers in orienteering and computer skills will be severely hampered unless more cash is injected into the centre.

"Private funds have already been eaten up to turn marshland into a camping site as an extra residential amenity. The area was previously used for studying wildlife."

The outdoor centre has come under threat at various times since then as the education authority seeks to implement budget cuts. Just a few weeks ago, the county council agreed to hand it over to a private operator.