In Spotlight On, Chippenham, Activity

Tell us a bit about The Arc, and the story of The Climbing Academy

The Climbing Academy started with 'The Mothership' a bouldering centre in the heart of Bristol, founded originally to create a more forward-thinking environment for climbers. A positive place for all to support and be inspired by one another.

The vision to build communities through climbing progressed to Scotland where Glasgow gained its first dedicated bouldering centre, 'The Newsroom' and later another TCA centre, ‘The Prop Store’ which had more options for roped climbing and auto belays. The success of this saw TCA become the new owners of The Church, formerly known as Undercover Rock (UCR), its second centre in Bristol.

The story culminates with The Arc, the first purpose-built climbing centre in the UK built by Chippenham Borough Lands Charity and operated by The Climbing Academy. The Arc is now an extensive complex with lots of activities.  

Paul Ashwell from The Arc Climbing Academy

Tell us a little bit about your role and how you came to find yourself at The Arc

I used to climb at The Church as a kid and later The Mothership. I've always been passionate about climbing and felt encouraged and welcomed by the folks there.

After taking an unwilling break from climbing for a while due to my mother becoming ill, I was in a bad place mentally then someone kindly built a climbing centre a stone’s throw away. I was applying before they had finished building because I knew this would be a place I could feel right at home. I love helping people overcome technical, mental or physical limitations wherever they are on their climbing journey.

I started on the counter and TCA kindly paid for my instructor training and assessment, now I am a manager and a climbing instructor. I focus on running the daily tasks and keeping everybody safe, I offer Taster sessions where people discover what aspect of climbing they enjoy the most and I help coach sessions for kids to help them develop and progress.

Tell us what visitors can expect when they visit The Arc

You can be bouldering within minutes and each adult can supervise up to two children. Our trained staff are on hand to help you. We have a well equipped skatepark, an extensive natural play park and great food, delicious snacks and some of the best coffee in Chippenham in our cafe. The centre is wheelchair accessible, only a 15 minute walk from the train station and has on site parking.

We are equipped with two bouldering rooms, a hangboard training and warm-up area and an extensive selection of top-ropes, auto belays and lead climbing, we even have an outdoor wall for a breath of fresh air.

We offer training courses for roped climbing and clubs for 6-15 year olds.

If you’re not here to climb then have a cuppa and a bite to eat in our airy cafe whilst the kids play in the park or pop in for a pitstop whilst walking the dogs along the nearby river and nature trails. Dogs are welcome on the decking.

Child climbing at The Arc

Can you tell us a little about climbing and its benefits?

Climbing is a very inclusive sport with a lot of different aspects to it, whoever you are and whatever your story there is something for everyone.

Aside from the obvious physical benefits climbing is also excellent for mental health – life becomes simpler on the wall.

It is great for those who are neurodivergent, giving a space to reconcile one’s experiences of the world around themselves both objectively and subjectively – and it provides the freedom of opportunity to branch out, socially or not, without being judged in either case.

Whatever you feel comfortable with, you choose how to move yourself forward both on and off the wall.

What do you like best about your role at The Arc?

I enjoy helping people who might be feeling a little lost find their way forward through climbing.

I get a lot of satisfaction seeing people achieve things they didn't think they could and guiding people towards being safer and climbing better than they thought was possible.

I find the community to be an eclectic combination of the best people and I enjoy being a welcoming face to all those who might feel otherwise unsure about their first step on a voyage into an exciting, challenging and different world.

Where are your favourite places to visit in Wiltshire and why?

I like taking my dog for walks along the rivers and hills to appreciate the countryside and villages. I always enjoy finding hidden bits of the old canal networks along with other artefacts of historic and ancient England. On occasion we’ll pop by Lacock and enjoy a cream tea; I used to live in Colerne so I’m a sucker for a nice pub garden with some of my fellow yokels after a long walk.

Lacock Abbey with Sheep in the Field

Do you have any hidden Wiltshire gems that you’d like to share with our readers?

Underneath Corsham we have The Burlington Bunker complex. A relic from the cold war it would house up to 4000 personnel, with 60 miles of roads, it even has the world’s largest telephone exchange of its type and a hidden railway line accessible from the main London to Bristol line. It was kept top Secret until 2004 and would have been both where the Royal Family and Government would be evacuated to and acted as the UK Central Government War Headquarters (CGWHQ) in case of nuclear war. All hidden under a seemingly sleepy Wiltshire town.

Related

33 Comments

Comments

  1. bellabrownbe
    Want to take a break from reality and have a good laugh? https://kickthebuddy.co is the perfect game to help you unwind, offering hilarious and absurd ways to beat up a cartoon character.
  3. Triksy79
    I wanted to tell you about an article I found on https://mostbet-uz.top/ . It's an interesting article about online betting that might be useful to you if you are interested in sports and want to learn more about the opportunities offered by Mostbet. I am a sports fan myself, so I was interested to read about the betting options on this site. You might be interested in learning more about it too!
  4. larvar
    Pizza Tower https://pizza-tower.io is an indie game developed by the Pizza Tower Team. It is a platformer game where the player controls a delivery boy named Peppino who must climb a tower to deliver pizzas to various floors. Along the way, he must avoid obstacles, defeat enemies, and collect pizza ingredients. The game features colorful 2D graphics and a retro-style soundtrack. It also includes various power-ups and boss battles. The game is currently available for free download on the Pizza Tower website.
  5. Josephwhitehead
    it's really nice article to read It's possible that he is a relatively new or emerging figure or organization that has come into prominence after my knowledge cutoff. https://www.aceflare.net/
  6. Bogdan
    PiratePlay Casino, reviewed on
    https://coins.game/blog/en/reviews/pirateplay-casino Pirateplay casino review , takes players on a thrilling pirate-themed adventure in the world of online gambling. The review highlights the casino's immersive design and captivating pirate-inspired visuals, creating a unique and exciting gaming atmosphere. With a wide selection of high-quality games from renowned software providers, PiratePlay Casino offers an extensive range of slots, table games, and live dealer options. The casino's commitment to player satisfaction is evident through its generous bonuses, secure banking options, and responsive customer support, ensuring an enjoyable and rewarding gaming experience for all players.
  7. Hanna Ovr
    The team at Paragon Alpha https://www.paragonalpha.com/services has a deep understanding of the hedge fund industry and can provide expert guidance to managers seeking to improve their performance and achieve their investment objectives.
  9. AmirBarva
    The 2017-2025 auto fuel efficiency standards are set to reach 54.5 mpg by 2025. Visit the site for more details. https://citizensforaffordableenergy.org/ With projected savings of $1.7 trillion and 12 billion barrels less oil consumed, this initiative cuts daily usage by 2 million barrels—making a substantial impact.
  11. anna6457
    SlotsMagic je vynikajúce online kasíno https://casinohex.sk/online-kasina/slotsmagic/ ktoré ponúka širokú škálu online automatov od najlepších poskytovateľov hier. S jeho atraktívnymi bonusmi a ponukami pre nových hráčov, SlotsMagic sa stáva jedným z najobľúbenejších kasín na Slovensku. Okrem toho, kasíno má skvelý zákaznícky servis a rýchle výplaty, čo robí z neho spoľahlivé miesto pre hranie online hier.
  12. Patrick Pierree
    This is a great article to explain the story of Climbing Academy. But you should also know about Vue Storefront Headless Development. So let us know about View Storefron.

    Click here: https://webkul.com/vuestorefront-development-service/
  13. IndigoJensen
    As you progress through https://capybara-clicker.com you'll unlock a plethora of upgrades, research options, and customization features that allow you to tailor your capybara colony to your unique playstyle.
  14. peter123
    Our Do your Online Class service offers expert assistance in taking your online or in-person classes.
    Visit : https://doyouronlineclass.com
  15. Heather
    This is a great article to explain the story of UPSers. But you should also know about other stuff as well. So let us know about View Storefront. <a href="https://www-upsers.us";>Go to </a> and check out detailed stuff there
  17. bekean
    Experience the thrill of word discovery at your own pace with Wordle 2's adjustable grid and speed settings https://wordle2.io
  19. hqporner
    The best collection pornohub videos movies download <a href="https://beegporn.cam"; title="beegporn">hqporner</a>
  20. qaseo
    I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and very informative and I really learned a lot from it. Fryd extracts https://frydextractsbrand.com/
  23. rummy moment
    https://rainbow-rummy.in/
    https://TeenPattionlines.com
    https://teenpatti-field.com
    https://hobigamess.com
    https://rummy-moments.in/
    https://happyveagas.com/
    https://rummypalaces.com/
    https://funny-rummy.com/
    https://happyace-casino.com
    https://osom-rummy.com/
    https://moment-rummy.com/
    https://teenpatti-zone.com/
    https://sabkagames.com/
    https://teenpatti-life.com/
    https://lucky3pattis.com/
    https://teenpatti-one.com/
    https://taprummys.com/
    https://rummyyglee.com/
    https://rummy-glees.com/
    https://rummy9.vip/Rummy-Glee/
    https://rummy-guru.com/
    https://rummy-hero.com/
    https://rummy-monster.com/
    http://rummy-blast.com/
    https://king-rummy.com/
    https://magic-rummy.com/
    https://slots-master.com/
    https://rummysofts.com/
    https://yono-games.com/
    https://vip3patti.club/
    https://vip3pattis.com/
    https://rummy-adda.com/
    https://rummyprides.com/
    https://pride-rummy.com/
    https://rummy-cafe.com/
    https://card-rummy.com/
    https://rummyprinces.com/
    https://lucky-casino.in/
    https://rummy-dream.com/
    https://joygame.in/
    https://room-rummy.com/

    https://teenpatti-3m.com
    https://rummybharats.com
    https://rummy-akhada.com
    https://rummy-sweet.com
    https://rummy-earning.com
    https://teenpatti-super.com
    https://rummy-fire.com
    https://luckyandarbahar.com
    https://jj-rummy.com
    https://teenpatti-roller.com
    https://real-teenpatti.com
    https://3patti-one.com
    https://yes3pattis.com
    https://rio3pattis.com
    https://Teenpatti-Bazaar.com
    https://teenpatti-family.com
    https://teenpattiepics.com
    https://teenpatti-circle.com
    https://rummywinners.in
    https://rummy-winners.com
    https://osom-casino.com
    https://rummytrys.com
    https://try-rummy.com
    https://rummy-wins.com
    https://wins-bet.com
    https://luckyteenpattis.com
    https://yono777s.com
    https://yonorummys.com
    https://rummybashs.com
    https://teenpatti-power.com
  24. albertlistens4
    Prepaid debit cards like the ACE Flare function similarly to checking accounts. Your desired amount of money is immediately loaded into the card. The ACE Flare card functions essentially in the same manner as a standard debit card. Anywhere Visa is accepted, so is the ACE Flare Card. https://aceflare.store/
  25. storesurvey33
    Consumers now must choose between several brands, but they don't desire a service or a product. They anticipate a brand to deliver a pleasing and unforgettable experience whenever they visit any store. Customers will become equally loyal to a business that fosters a loyalty culture across all of their interactions. Walmart prioritizes their survey because of this. https://surveywlmarrtcom.store/
  26. monsilelig8
    You may think of the ACE Flare card as a regular debit card with a few extra features. The ACE Flare Card may be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

    https://aceflare.shop/
  27. choulamandula
    A range of topics pertaining to MCD restaurants are included in the poll, including meal quality, pricing, prompt delivery, cleanliness, staff conduct, and similar topics. Guests may easily respond to all these inquiries from the comfort of their own homes by recalling their previous visit. https://mcdfoodforthoughts.org/
  28. bharatbhoomitimes
    Union Public Service Commission will release the CAPF AC 2024 notification on the official website<a href="https://bharatbhoomitimes.com/capf";>CAPF </a> notification 2024
  30. rummy moment
    https://teenpatti-power.com/
    https://happyludos.com/
    https://yono-slots.com/
    https://star-teenpatti.com/
    https://teenpatti-stars.com/
    https://teenpatti-empire.com/
    https://fortune-win.com/
    https://svip-3pattiag.com/
    https://rummyonlines.com/
    https://onlinerummys.com/
    https://winner-super.com/
    https://lucky-clubs.com/
    https://masters-teen-patti.com/
    https://teenpattimilan.com/
    https://teen-patti-masters.club/
    https://teenpattiheart.com/
    https://ag-slots.com/
    https://567-slots.com/
    https://teenpatti-galaxy.com/
    https://teenpattikala.com/
    https://rummy-station.com/
    https://rummycyber.com/
    https://rummyleopard.com/
    https://teenpatti-vegas.com/
    https://777-wealth.com/
    https://ace-3patti.com/
    https://rummy-leader.com/
    https://stars-rummy.com/
    https://teenpatti-wind.com/
    https://win789s.com/
    https://yonoarcades.com/
    https://berichers.com/
    https://s9-game.com/
    https://rummystar.io/
  31. Jawaad Perfume
    Spotlight On, Paul Ashwell from The Arc, as you immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Jawaad Perfume online fragrance sanctuary. Here, each scent is a masterpiece waiting to be discovered, adding depth to your olfactory journey.

    https://www.jawaad.com.pk/
  32. alanatalkwyt
    تبريد مياه الخزان هو عملية هامة تهدف إلى توفير مياه باردة ومنعشة للاستخدام في الأنشطة اليومية وفي فصل الصيف خاصة. توفير مياه باردة يسهم في ترطيب الجسم والتخفيف من حرارة الجو، مما يساعد في الحفاظ على الراحة والصحة العامة. إليك فقرة توضح أهمية تبريد مياه الخزان:
    تبريد مياه الخزان يعتبر أمراً أساسياً خاصة في المناطق ذات المناخ الحار حيث يكون تناول المياه الباردة ضرورياً للتخفيف من تأثير ارتفاع درجات الحرارة. ففي فصل الصيف، قد ترتفع درجات الحرارة إلى مستويات مرتفعة جداً مما يزيد من احتياج الجسم للترطيب والتبريد. لذلك، توفير مياه باردة يساعد في تلبية هذه الاحتياجات والحفاظ على الجسم من التعرض لخطر الجفاف والضربات الحرارية.
    بالإضافة إلى فوائدها للصحة، فإن تبريد مياه الخزان يسهم في راحة السكان وتعزيز راحة العيش. فعندما يكون بإمكان الأفراد الوصول بسهولة إلى مياه باردة، يمكنهم التمتع بتجربة أكثر منعة في الأيام الحارة دون الحاجة إلى البحث عن مصادر تبريد أخرى. وبالتالي، فإن تبريد مياه الخزان يسهم في إدارة استهلاك الطاقة والموارد بشكل أكثر فعالية، كما يمكن أن يقلل من الحاجة إلى شراء المياه المعبأة التي قد تكون غير صحية وتزيد من النفايات البلاستيكية.
    باختصار، فإن تبريد مياه الخزان يعتبر أمراً هاماً لتلبية احتياجات الجسم خلال فصل الصيف، ويساهم في تعزيز الراحة والصحة العامة للسكان، كما يسهم في الحفاظ على البيئة من خلال تقليل استهلاك الموارد والنفايات.

    <a href="https://adsqw.com/";>تبريد مياه الخزان</a>
  33. OviTech
    OviTech: Casting a digital spotlight on 'Spotlight On, Paul Ashwell from The Arc,' illuminating your brand's narrative with strategic prominence.

Leave a Reply