Ringsfield Hall education centre closes due to insolvency

Ringsfield Hall Woodland Activity and Retreat Centre, near Beccles, officially went into insolvency on January 9.

Staff were told in a meeting on that date that they were to lose their jobs working for the charity which has now stopped trading.

Rev'd Mark Bee (left) pictured blessing the new thatch at Ringsfield Church (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mark Bee, director trustee and chair of the charity, said: "I can confirm that sadly the trust has ceased trading after financial issues forced us to declare insolvency.

"At the moment we have experts looking into solutions, staff have sadly been made redundant and we have people coming to value the property which likely will be sold to pay off the debts."

Following the declaration of insolvency, the business' website has shut down and it has cancelled all bookings it had for forthcoming school trips.

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Ringsfield Hall had been providing both residential stays and activity days to schools and organisations.

Ringsfield Hall by Bill Darnell (Image: Bill Darnell)

The hall sleeps up to 50 people in 14 bedrooms which range between singles, doubles, twins, and dormitories.

The dining room can seat up to 50 people and a fully equipped kitchen is available for self-catered groups, although fully catered is also an option.

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It is said the library has a spectacular view across the meadows and provides a great spot to watch nature and farm animals. 

Pupils posing at a straw bale classroom on the grounds of Ringsfield Hall by Bill Smith (Image: Bill Smith)READ MORE: Pupils place time capsule in roof of Ringsfield's 15th century church

Within the hall's grounds are 15 acres of land including a games field with football posts, a badminton court, two fire pits with canopies, woodland areas, a meadow, a garden, a pasture with animals and wild areas for exploration.

There is also a chapel on the site.

Mr Bee is also the reverend at the village's 15th-century church.

More updates on the situation at Ringsfield Hall will follow when it becomes clear what the next steps are.

Inside Ringsfield Hall by Bill Darnell (Image: Bill Darnell)