History

CEGB provided a small porta-cabin classroom and toilet. This operated for many years and children enjoyed their visits to the site led by volunteers such as the late Howard Clayton, a former chemist with the CEGB.

In 1989, at the request of CEGB it was decided to base an Advisory Teacher at the site to develop the resources for visiting classes. A second classroom was donated by the Education Authority and installed and refurbished by the newly privatised National Grid Company. A part time secretary, an extra teacher and the School Grounds Planting Supervisor soon joined the team and Bishops Wood Centre was born.

As the numbers of visiting classes grew it was clear that a new building was required.  The Centre staff and the design team from the County Council firmly believed that this should not only provide engaging and exciting learning spaces, but should also provide a role model of environmental care and a three dimensional text-book of best environmental design.

The new building was funded by National Grid Company, Hereford and Worcester County Council and Worcestershire Training and Enterprise Council. The architects were from Hereford and Worcester County Council and their experience with this building put them at the forefront of environmental design in Britain. The knowledge gained in this project has led to similar principles being adopted for new schools and other public buildings in Worcestershire. Much of the construction was carried out by long term unemployed people working on a scheme managed by Worcester College of Technology.

Before the construction of the new building, the innovative educational programmes at Bishops Wood Centre were already attracting visitors from other environmental education centres from around the world. The addition of this new building has attracted not only educators but architects and environmentalists from almost every continent.

In 1996 an additional 30 acres was added to the site by the purchase of a field on the site of the original Mitre Oak Wood. Other exciting and innovative construction projects have followed.

Now run by Worcestershire County Council with the support of National Grid and Worcester College of Technology, the centre provides exciting educational visits for thousands of children and adults each year, training for teachers, environmental educators and young people from throughout Europe, a venue for meetings for Council staff, organisations and businesses, open days for the people of Worcestershire, support for schools and communities and an inspiration for educators and environmentalists throughout the world.