THE refurbishment of Govilon Activity Centre was officially marked with a visit by the Mayor and Mayoress of Abergavenny.

Cllr Martin Hickman and his wife Alison took a tour of the new look centre, which has undergone major renovations as part of extensive refurbishment works to transform the 140-year-old former Victorian school.

Tens of thousands of young people have attended residential activity courses at the historic centre in Govilon since it opened in 1971.

Now, following substantial investments by the Kettering Old Grammer School Foundation, the educational charitable trust, who own and run the centre, a raft of improvements has seen the historic building transformed and modernised.

This includes the centre being fitted with state of the art kitchen facilities, new shower and toilet blocks, disabled facilities and updated drying rooms.

The original wooden floors have also been restored to their former glory, there has been a complete electrical rewire throughout and a new gas central heating system installed.

As part of the renovation project, local craftsmen were commissioned to construct bespoke bunk beds for the centre which can accommodate visitors in bunk-house style accommodation.

Cllr Hickman said: “It was wonderful to meet the team at the Govilon Activity Centre. I was very impressed with the amazing investment that has been put into the centre and the quality of the finished works.”

The centre offers a range of educational and activity courses, including caving, canoeing and rock climbing.

Maggie Mitchell, governor with the Kettering Old Grammar School Foundation and chair of the Govilon Management Committee, said: “The significant investment by the foundation is another way the charity is helping to enrich the lives of children and young people. We hope to become more involved in the local community and attract other local schools, organisations, clubs and societies to make use of the centre.”

For more information on the centre, call 01873 831185, email info@govilon.org.uk or visit www.govilon.org.uk