North Devon activity centre charity makes shock closure announcement

Calvert Devon has announced it will close its doors at the end of August after more than 30 years.

The well-known charity and activity centre near Kentisbury said the decision to close had been extremely difficult but the centre was no longer financially viable.

Calvert Devon, formerly Calvert Exmoor, provided outdoor experiences for people of all abilities from horse riding and sailing to climbing and archery.

Less than two years ago it faced closure but was saved in autumn 2024 after the community and generous donors raised £500,000 to ensure it could stay open. It was renamed Calvert Devon last year.

Earlier this year the charity was celebrating its 30th anniversary and a journey which began when the Calvert Trust purchased an old Victorian farmstead and surrounding land next to Wistlandpound Reservoir.

A statement on the Calvert Devon website announced the shock news and said: “This is an extremely difficult decision for everyone connected with the centre. Calvert Devon has been much more than an outdoor activity centre.

“For over three decades, it has been a place where people have been encouraged to discover what they can achieve, challenge perceptions and experience adventure in an environment where inclusion has always been at the heart of what we do.”

The closure will not affect other Calvert Trist sites in other areas of the country.

Addressing the financial challenges of staying afloat, the charity’s online statement said: “Over recent years, the centre has faced significant financial and operational challenges.

“Every available avenue to secure a sustainable future for the Devon centre has been explored, including fundraising, appeals, changes to the operating model and efforts to rebuild and strengthen its programme of activity.

“Despite those efforts, the trustees have concluded that the centre is no longer financially viable and that closure is necessary.

“The decision has been particularly difficult because of the strength of feeling for the centre among staff, volunteers, supporters, customers and partners. There remains a deep belief in the importance of the work that Calvert Devon has delivered over the past 30 years.”

Reflecting on the past 30 years, it added: “For many visitors, the experience went far beyond a residential visit or an outdoor activity session.

“It was an opportunity to try something new, overcome a fear, develop independence, build relationships and return home with a different view of what might be possible. That is a legacy of which everyone associated with Calvert Devon can be immensely proud.”

“We would like to thank every member of staff, instructor, volunteer, trustee, donor, partner, customer and supporter who has contributed to the life of Calvert Devon.

“Most of all, we thank the thousands of people who trusted us to share their adventures with them. It has been a privilege.”