Shropshire field centre loo twinned with latrine in Nepal
A humble toilet at a field centre on the outskirts of Shrewsbury has been twinned with a latrine in Nepal – in bid to highlight the problem of poor sanitation worldwide.
The loo, at Preston Montford Field Centre, Montford Bridge, near Shrewsbury, now proudly boasts a certificate proclaiming it is twinned with the basic latrine in mountainous country.
The centre is part of the Field Studies Council, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and the twinning contributes to a year-long programme of birthday events.
Famous names who have twinned their toilets under the scheme include Chief Scout of the Scouts Association Bear Grylls, soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae and Archers actress Tasmin Greig.
Adrian Pickles, Head of Centre at FSC Preston Montford, said supporting Toilet Twinning fits perfectly with the Field Studies Council's mission to bring environmental understanding to all. "We're all about education and trying to make the world a better place," he said of the centre, which hosts 5,000 to 6,000 residential visitors a year, along with many more day visitors.
It runs specialist courses for adults along with school programmes.
Mr Pickles said seeing the Toilet Twinning certificate on the wall in the centre's Darwin Building will add to the informal education offered at Preston Montford. "It is vital to demonstrate that we are not just interested in our Shropshire landscape and people: there are people out there in the rest of the world who have needs which we can help to support," he said.
