FEATURES
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
GOOD OLD-FASHIONED FUN IS TOR’S WINNING FORMULA
A new adventure attraction near Pocklington School,
opened by OP Tor Carver (née Sweeting, 88-
90) and husband Christian, is drawing families from
Yorkshire and beyond to run, jump, swing and splash
to their hearts’ content. As the play area took shape, Tor and Christian had
one very willing – and exacting – ‘guinea pig’ on
hand to give his verdict: son William, nine, who is a
pupil at Pocklington Prep School, and the attraction’s
namesake.
William’s Den, set in the rolling countryside of
North Cave edging the Wolds, is a timber-framed
indoor and outdoor playscape offering traditional
activities, from den-building and rope-walking to
messy mud pie making. “It’s fair to say a lot of the elements we have here
are inspired by William, who loves den-building and
playing out in the fresh air,” said Tor. “We also wanted
to create something the villagers of North Cave and
the East Riding could be proud of which could draw
visitors from all over the UK. We’re thrilled with the
results.”
Tor and Christian both grew up exploring the
outdoors and wanted to offer children the same
opportunities to have fun and build life skills in a safe
environment.
“It was absolutely paramount for us to provide an
opportunity for children to run around in the fresh
air, laugh and shriek, get as dirty as they wanted and
go home rosy-cheeked, tired out from all the fresh
air,” said Tor.
“We wanted to offer a multi-dimensional experience
which fired their imagination, as well as helping them
learn how to be independent. Above all, it was
important to provide an environment where families
could ditch their electronic devices and enjoy some
quality time together.”
Tor and Christian hit on the idea of William’s Den
after they started letting out holiday cottages, and
realised tourists were travelling outside the East
Riding for day trips to keep their kids entertained.
They earmarked land on Christian’s family farm
at North Cave to provide a unique, landscaped
attraction for the area.
The attraction, which opened in July, proved to be
an immediate hit, welcoming over 10,000 visitors
in the first month of opening. The Guardian was
among those to give an early rave review of the
“slick new Yorkshire attraction,” saying: “There really
is something here for all ages.”
Tor first got to know the countryside around
Pocklington School when she arrived from Snaith as
a sixth form boarder in 1988, just as her brother,
James Sweeting (80-88), left. She was among the
first girl boarders at Faircote House and took A
levels in French, German and Ec onomics.
“I had a great time and made lifelong friends in
Emma Longthorpe (née Firth 88-90), Joanna
Lawrence (née Wood 88-90) and Bryony Crofts
(née Leake 88-90) who married Mark Crofts
(85-90), a fellow student and friend in the year,” she
said.
“I was involved with lots of drama and musical
productions with Mr Heaven and Mr Taylor. I
particularly remember doing the Mystery Plays and
I loved the Musical Society. We had a blast – but I
didn’t do much academic work.
“I flunked my A levels, which I deserved, but in many
respects failure brought out the best in me. It hurt –
a lot – but I reflected on why it had happened, then
came out stronger and determined to fight for what
I wanted to do.”
Tor went on to study IT and French at Brunel
University, followed by spells working for an MEP, then
CNN in Brussels and for MasterCard in London. She
spent seven years with Reuters news agency as a
Senior Showbiz Producer, with assignments including
interviewing The Rolling Stones, travelling round the
world with the Backstreet Boys, and covering the
Cannes and Venice Film Festivals.
After taking time out to study film, Tor returned to
Yorkshire to weigh up her next steps, met Christian
– and stayed. The couple married in 2007, William
was born the following year… and soon, after all her
travels, Tor was surprised to find herself enrolling her
own child at Pocklington School.
“I never imagined myself living in East Yorkshire again
– and not in a million years did I see myself back at
Pocklington School,” she says. “But I like the emphasis
on promoting difference. Everyone has a strength, it’s
not just about getting A stars. William is very happy
there; he’s a very fortunate boy.”
William’s Den, Castle Farm, Beverley Road, North
Cave, HU15 2LS, www.williamsden.co.uk
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