Liquidators have rejected a bid to save an outdoor education centre which has been running for more than 50 years.

They have turned down an application by a forest school group to take on Ringsfield Hall, near Beccles.

The trust which runs the centre declared insolvency in February after it ran into financial difficulties.

It was suggested that the hall be sold off to pay debts, which were understood to be around £150,000.

It led to Kinda Education CIC, a non-profit specialising in nature-based education and which already runs forest school groups in Holton, Halesworth and Worlingham, expressing an interest in taking it on.

But the liquidators have rejected the bid.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Mell Harrison, CEO of Kinda Education, (left) pictured with Peter Langford at Ringsfield HallMell Harrison, CEO of Kinda Education, (left) pictured with Peter Langford at Ringsfield Hall (Image: Submitted)

Mell Harrison, CEO of Kinda Education, said: “Our team have not been given access to look around the hall itself and have not been provided with details of the debts which need paying off.

"The liquidators informed us the hall is not fit for purpose as an education centre."

She has previously worked at Ringsfield Hall and could not understand the liquidators' decision, as she believed her organisation had "put in place what is needed to save this community asset".

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Peter Langford with the plaque commemorating the launch of the Ringsfield Hall TrustPeter Langford with the plaque commemorating the launch of the Ringsfield Hall Trust (Image: Submitted)

She added: "But all is not lost as the Ringsfield Hall Trust's trustees have not decided to go into liquidation and sell yet, but it's getting close.

"We won't give up trying to save the hall and continue its valuable work with children,” she went on.

In a further bid to save it, local councillors are working on designating the hall as an ‘asset of community value’ which, if successful, will put a brake on any efforts to sell the building off. 

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The Ringsfield Hall eco-centre was founded by Beccles-based Reverend Peter Langford.

Mr Langford, with his late wife Sally, bought Ringsfield Hall in 1971 and later donated the entire site to the Ringsfield Hall Trust.

He said: "It absolutely breaks my heart to think we might lose this fantastic place which has meant so much to thousands of young people over the years.

"For a relatively small sum of money, this place could be protected for the community."

The effort continues with a website www.saveringsfieldhall.org being launched.

Anyone interested in finding out more should contact: Mell@kindaeducation.org