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{{Short description|Woodland in Hampshire, England}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=May 2010}} |
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'''Sandy Balls''' is {{convert|120|acre|km2}} of woods and parkland near the [[New Forest]] in [[Hampshire]], England. Located between the village of [[Godshill, Hampshire|Godshill]] and the town of [[Fordingbridge]], it is bounded on the western edge by the [[River Avon (Hampshire)|River Avon]]. It is run as a holiday centre, and in 2017 it was acquired by Away Resorts. |
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'''Sandy Balls''' |
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[[File:SB logo 1935.jpg|thumb|The first Sandy Balls logo]] |
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An estate, set in extensive woodlands, near [[Fordingbridge]], Hampshire, UK., bounded on the western edge by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Avon_(Hampshire) river Avon]. (IMAGE: Map) Now run as a Holiday Centre with accomodation consisting of log cabins and holiday homes, touring pitches and camping areas that fit in with the woodlands. Facilities include restaurants, swimming pools, a pub, supermarket, gym and spa. Sandy Balls is owned by the Westlake family. |
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[[File:View from Good Friday Hill 1.jpg|thumb|View from Good Friday Hill]] |
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==Name== |
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'''The name''' |
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| ⚫ | The estate's name has been traced as far back as the reign of [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]]. It appeared on maps and other documents of the time as "Sandyballas," which is the description given to the dome-shaped sand and gravel outcrops on the western boundary of the site. Many of these outcrops remain, including ones called Good Friday Hill and Giant's Grave. |
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Due to the estate's name having a humorous sound in [[Modern English]] [[colloquial]] usage, Sandy Balls has been used in various jokes and comedies. |
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| ⚫ | The |
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Many of these outcrops remain including Good Friday Hill and Giant’s Grave. |
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On the comedy panel show ''[[Have I Got News For You]]'', guest host [[Alexander Armstrong (comedian)|Alexander Armstrong]] introduced a promotional video for Sandy Balls that made fun of the resort's name.<ref>Have I Got News For You, Series 39 Episode 2. First broadcast on BBC One, 9:00pm Thu, 8 Apr 2010</ref> |
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'''History of the site''' |
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==History== |
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| ⚫ | In 1919 the estate came up for sale to pay for death duties which arose on the death of Sir Edward Hulse in the first World War. |
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[[File:12 Grave of Ernest Westlake.jpg|thumb|Grave of Ernest Westlake on a path to the River Avon]] |
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| ⚫ | In 1919 the estate came up for sale to pay for death duties which arose on the death of Sir Edward Hulse in the first World War. Ernest Westlake, an [[anthropologist]] stimulated by the ideas and work of [[Ernest Thompson Seton]] bought the land as a site for his newly formed youth movement the [[Order of Woodcraft Chivalry]]. After the death of Ernest his son Aubrey Westlake carried on his ideas and the forerunner of [[Forest School Camps]] was established. The first Head master was Cuthbert Rutter, Aubrey's cousin. |
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The estate also served as a home for [[Grith Fyrd]] during the 1930s. |
The estate also served as a home for [[Grith Fyrd]] during the 1930s. |
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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:riverside camp.jpg|thumb|circa 1940 lodges]] --> |
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===Development into a holiday centre=== |
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| ⚫ | In 1934, 12 simply furnished camping huts were built and next year the first brochure was produced, entitled "Sandy Balls for the Beauty Spot Holiday". As the original aim of Aubrey Westlake was to use the location to provide a simple, low cost holiday for families, the original cabins were placed among the trees. |
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| ⚫ | In 1934, 12 simply furnished camping huts were built and next year the first brochure was produced, entitled |
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'''The war years''' |
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===War years=== |
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During the war the estate served as temporary accommodation for evacuees and for families whose main bread winner was on active service. A large air raid shelter was built and a Red Cross post established. |
During the war the estate served as temporary accommodation for evacuees and for families whose main bread winner was on active service. A large air raid shelter was built and a Red Cross post established. |
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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:current lodges.jpg|thumb|2010 lodges]] --> |
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===Continued development=== |
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Through the 1950s and 1960s the Westlake family continued the development as a |
Through the 1950s and 1960s the Westlake family continued the location's development as a holiday centre. Accommodations were greatly extended and a restaurant and shop were added (with the latter two locations using produce grown on the estate).{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} |
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In the 1980s the holiday centre was extensively developed and modernised by Richard Westlake who had become MD. In this time the centre received many awards for excellence. |
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In the 1980s the holiday centre was extensively developed and modernised by Richard Westlake<!--This sentence originally ended "who had become MD." What does that mean? I assume it does not mean he became a Medical Doctor. Until and unless this abbreviation can be explained with relevance to this article, it should remain commented out or deleted.-->. |
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Recently the centre has been a central location for the [http://www.racenewforest.co.uk/Forest Man Iron man triathlons]. In the winter months it also features ‘[http://www.forest-ice.co.uk/ forest ice]’ - an outdoor ice rink in the centre of the holiday centre. |
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| ⚫ | In 2007 a major redevelopment was carried out, making the central area into a piazza and adding the bistro restaurant and adding new retail spaces including the bike hire shop. A new reception building was built with a roof covered with [[sedum]]s and other plants.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} |
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In 2017 ownership was transferred from the Westlake family to Away Resorts Limited.<ref>Companies House 2017 Confirmation Statement for Sandy Balls Estate Limited</ref> |
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A wide range of wildlife is found and approximately 75% of the site is covered with vegetation which has been very carefully managed to allow native species to flourish. Sandy Balls has won many awards for its conservation and management of the wooded areas and riverbank including [http://www.bellamyparks.co.uk/ The David Bellamy conservation gold award] (13 times) and Green Tourism Gold Award. |
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The area has a wide range of wildlife and approximately 75% of the site{{clarify|date=November 2010}} is covered with vegetation which has been very carefully managed to allow [[native species]] to flourish. A steep path runs down to the [[River Avon, Hampshire|River Avon]]. |
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== |
==References== |
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<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically --> |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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== External links == |
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[http://www.sandyballs.co.uk Sandy Balls Holiday Centre] |
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{{coord|50.9319|N|1.7581|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Forests and woodlands of Hampshire]] |
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<!--- Categories ---> |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:New Forest]] |
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[[Category:New Forest District]] |
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[[Category:Intentional communities in the United Kingdom]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:52, 18 October 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2010) |
Sandy Balls is 120 acres (0.49 km2) of woods and parkland near the New Forest in Hampshire, England. Located between the village of Godshill and the town of Fordingbridge, it is bounded on the western edge by the River Avon. It is run as a holiday centre, and in 2017 it was acquired by Away Resorts.
Name
[edit]The estate's name has been traced as far back as the reign of Henry VII. It appeared on maps and other documents of the time as "Sandyballas," which is the description given to the dome-shaped sand and gravel outcrops on the western boundary of the site. Many of these outcrops remain, including ones called Good Friday Hill and Giant's Grave.
Due to the estate's name having a humorous sound in Modern English colloquial usage, Sandy Balls has been used in various jokes and comedies.
On the comedy panel show Have I Got News For You, guest host Alexander Armstrong introduced a promotional video for Sandy Balls that made fun of the resort's name.[1]
History
[edit]
In 1919 the estate came up for sale to pay for death duties which arose on the death of Sir Edward Hulse in the first World War. Ernest Westlake, an anthropologist stimulated by the ideas and work of Ernest Thompson Seton bought the land as a site for his newly formed youth movement the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry. After the death of Ernest his son Aubrey Westlake carried on his ideas and the forerunner of Forest School Camps was established. The first Head master was Cuthbert Rutter, Aubrey's cousin.
The estate also served as a home for Grith Fyrd during the 1930s.
Development into a holiday centre
[edit]In 1934, 12 simply furnished camping huts were built and next year the first brochure was produced, entitled "Sandy Balls for the Beauty Spot Holiday". As the original aim of Aubrey Westlake was to use the location to provide a simple, low cost holiday for families, the original cabins were placed among the trees.
War years
[edit]During the war the estate served as temporary accommodation for evacuees and for families whose main bread winner was on active service. A large air raid shelter was built and a Red Cross post established.
Continued development
[edit]Through the 1950s and 1960s the Westlake family continued the location's development as a holiday centre. Accommodations were greatly extended and a restaurant and shop were added (with the latter two locations using produce grown on the estate).[citation needed]
In the 1980s the holiday centre was extensively developed and modernised by Richard Westlake.
In 2007 a major redevelopment was carried out, making the central area into a piazza and adding the bistro restaurant and adding new retail spaces including the bike hire shop. A new reception building was built with a roof covered with sedums and other plants.[citation needed]
In 2017 ownership was transferred from the Westlake family to Away Resorts Limited.[2]
Environment
[edit]The area has a wide range of wildlife and approximately 75% of the site[clarification needed] is covered with vegetation which has been very carefully managed to allow native species to flourish. A steep path runs down to the River Avon.
References
[edit]Further reading
[edit]- 70 Years A-Growing by Jean Westlake
- The Story of Godshill by Jean Westlake