| |
 |
| |
|
| |
From Rectory to Residential Centre |
| |
|
| |
 Our Mission |
|
| Ripple Down House began life as an environmental education centre in 1977. In 1993 it became an independent charity and has operated as such since then. Our job is to develop in children an interest in, and an appreciation of, the natural environment, & to foster the learning process through that work. |
|
| Many chidren who visit come from a city or urban background. It is often their first experience of a rural environment. For some it is their first time away from home. |
|
| For all of them the Centre offers a very real learning experience: it awakens natural curiousity; develops social and life skills; and fosters an understanding of our natural environment and its importance |
|
| Rippledown provides a special service to children. The cost of that service is in part met by the parents of the children - but to maintain fees at affordable levels, the Centre also relies on charitable support. |
|
|
| |
| History 1853 - 1975 |
- According to a new book about Ringwould, Ripple Down House was built in 1853 as a Rectory for the village.
|
- The first resident was the Reverend Charles Sumner & it remained a Rectory until it was taken over by the Royal Marines during World War II.
- The photograph on the right is believed to be pre-war.
|
|
|
After the war it was bought as a private house and a riding school. Eventually part of the house was turned into flats.
- It was bought in 1975 by The Cleary Foundation to be used as an Environmental Education Centre.
|
|
| |
- ILEA & Southwark
|
| After extensive restoration the house opened as a residential environmental education centre run by the Inner London Education Authority. Initially for secondary school students, during the 1980's Rippledown was made available to Primary Schools, especially from Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets. After the closure of ILEA in 1990, management transferred to Southwark Council and, although fully used, was the victim of budget cuts and closed on 31st August 1991. |
| |
| The Ripple Down House Trust |
| Head of Centre, Chas Matthews together with The Cleary Foundation, who own the building, worked towards reopening the Centre. A new educational trust was formed and in April 1993 the Ripple Down House Trust took over management of Rippledown. |
|
|
|
