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Article from The Observer, 12/03/06 by Christopher Moore

"Dave smiles at me like he's seen it all before, but remains patient as I struggle to tidy away the loose ends. He then gives me an informative and humorous overview of the day's programme, ... with interesting verbs like 'scramble', 'climb', 'crawl' and 'squeeze'. We also cover relevant safety information before wandering over to a steep slabby lump of rock, which presents me with my first challenge: getting over it. ... A dazzling camera flash greets my arrival on the other side, and while it's hardly caught me looking my cool best, it has captured a very wide grin - I'm really enjoying this. ... I take the chance to catch my breath on an airy perch. It's magical sitting here, gazing out over the gaping void, while I reflect on the fun so far."

"Just a quick word of thanks for a really great day. Dave you were an absolute star and made our days activities fun and from my perspective lessened my stress levels considerably. I will happily recommend you to anyone I know planning a stag party in the area. We love to come back and do it again in the future."
Eoin Doyle

"Thanks again for organising our orienteering event in April as part of our hen party event it was a great success."
Gwen Bramwell

"Just wanted to say a very big thank you to both you and Neil for Saturday.  We all had a fantastic weekend and the activities on Saturday really made it for us.  Everyone who did the abseil thoroughly enjoyed it and I think you may have some people coming back for more!  The fact that you both put an extremely nervous group of women at their ease was very much appreciated, and it really helped people to get to know one another. 

Thanks again for making it such a special day"
Carla Patchett - Hen Party

"You did it again.You wove your magic on the group and turned it into a brilliant holiday.We all have really good memories of the whole week.”
Billy Robinson,
Surrey County Council

"The rockclimbing day with Dave was the highlight of 2005 for our group"
Roger Denny

"I never wanted to go down a cave as the thought of it terrified me. However, whilst on a development programme my team had to go caving - Dave made this a really enjoyable experience for me, thanks for helping me to conquer a fear"
Jennifer Nichols

"We found Dave to be the ideal guide for my daughter's first proper underground trip into a leadmine, he quickly gauged the abilities of the party and provided a trip and pace which was exactly what I wanted, challenging enough to keep the interest up but not too intimidating, we are looking forward to our next trip. Thanks"
Alex and family

"Dave and staff were fun, professional and very accommodating of our special request to send the stag (Clint) down the abseil in a floral dress! We had a great day and can thoroughly recommend [Aspire Adventure Activities]."
Jon Wilson, best man for Clint

"Our objectives for the day were to build team spirit, enable the department to get to know each other better and most of all to have fun!!! Our day spent with [Aspire Adventure Activities] certainly met these objectives and allowed us the opportunity to understand each other's skills and personalities better in order to develop in the workplace. [Aspire Adventure Activities] was professional and reliable throughout the planning and implementation of the day and we have no reservations in recommending them to others."
Karen Goodman,
Volkswagen

"Thanks very much for your time caving/abseiling a few weeks ago, the whole family really enjoyed it. I also appreciated the time and patience you showed with the kids (and us) and the confidence that you gave them that allowed them to get the most out of the day.

If we come back to the area in the future perhaps we can try some climbing.  Thanks again for a really great experience."
Graham Cattle & family

"We were a group of 8, different ages, different abilities and most of us very nervous!! Yet all of us completed the abseiling and even chose to go back for more. Dave was a brilliant teacher, he instilled us with trust and confidence and we thoroughly enjoyed our day out. Thanks Dave!!
Thanks again!"
Ruth,
Heinze Sales Team Outing

"What a fabulous day! Dave of [Aspire Adventure Activities] showed us the 'ropes'(!) with such enthusiasm and good humour all day - a true professional. The mix of rock climbing and abseiling was just perfect and Dave got us involved in the whole process as much as possible. Our group all felt that we had really achieved something at the end of the day and would definitely recommend [Aspire Adventure Activities] to anyone who fancies scaling vertical rock faces or dangling themselves off a 85ft bridge for fun! We certainly had a great time.

Dave turned a good day's activities, into a great day out. His enthusiasm for the activities and the local area are plain to see, while his sense of humour coupled with a confident but skilled approach make the activities fun as well as rewarding."
Richard Hill

"As a group of ex-Sheffield University students meeting up for a reunion weekend in the Peaks, we decided doing some activity would be a great way to catch up and so chose to do a full day of climbing and abseiling with [Aspire Adventure Activities]. All of us agreed it was a great day out as well as a big challenge for some of us who had never done it before. A perfect host and guide, Dave was great fun and took all our silly questions and nerves in his stride. Thoroughly recommended to anyone"
Emma

"Just wanted to say a big thanks from all of us for running such a great day for Adam's stag group! Everyone had a great time & I heard plenty of compliments as to how well you Dave, managed to handle a crazy stag group!

We all felt that the day was run very professionally by [Aspire Adventure Activities], everyone felt safe but above all it was great fun!"
Jonathan Clarke

"I was looking forward to the Introduction to Rock Climbing and Abseiling day for Over 50's with [Aspire Adventure Activities] but I was apprehensive because I don't like heights. There was nothing to worry about because we were a small group and Dave explained how all the equipment worked; this helped to build my confidence. As each climb was attempted, we were guided and encouraged by Dave with what seemed to be never-ending patience (in my case!).

Abseiling was approached in the same calm manner and I was given time to realise I was in charge of my descent and that made "going over the edge" easier. We completed 9 climbs and 2 abseils during the day and although I would not have scored many points for style, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Both John and I had a lovely day and I have no doubt we will be contacting Dave about other courses."
Freda and John Hill

"It is always a pleasure to be looked after by Professionals and Dave and Adam of [Aspire Adventure Activities] were excellent. As Scout Leader I was able to easily relax and enjoy the activities myself knowing we were in good hands. I would thoroughly recommend them to any Scout Troop or similar organisation."
Kevan Moore
Scout Leader, 4th Harpenden

"Just a note to say thank you very much for an excellent day climbing and abseiling in the Peak District. We all enjoyed both activities, kids and adults alike! You were very patient with all of us and our lunchtime excursion to the posh hotel. We would certainly recommend you to our friends and look forward to having a day caving with you when we next go back."
Richard Alderton

"The abseiling with [Aspire Adventure Activities]  was excellent and the kids were buzzing with excitement and could not stop talking about it all the way back to Cromford Adventure Centre."
Andrew Moreland
The Hub, Ashby de la Zouch

"Just a short note to say that Aby & I thoroughly enjoyed the abseil down Millers Dale Viaduct on Saturday morning …….it was awesome as so was the weather.  Many thanks for a great morning."
Dave Crump

"The strengths of [Aspire Adventure Activities] include:

- A high level of personal service - the teacher/group organiser speaks to the person who will coordinate the activities and who will usually lead some of them.

- Simple, straightforward and hassle-free administration.

Pupils delight in Dave's friendly banter; there is no 'grim determination to succeed at all costs' but a cheerful, relaxed but highly professional atmosphere. In some miraculous way, Dave makes each participant feel that he or she is special and that the activity is new, exciting and challenging. Even in a single day of activities my pupils delight in Dave's friendly approach and have developed their resourcefulness and their willingness to collaborate with each other."
Nick Park
Deputy Head, Brockhurst School

"We felt so confident under Dave's guidance and doubtless expertise and came away exhilarated and wanting to join a climbing and caving club. We will definitely be back for more!"
Anna and Steve

"A well organized teambuilding day that achieved all our objectives and was great fun. Well done Dave and Staff"
Sarah Boxer
Boots plc

"We came on your rock scrambling activity in the Summer Holiday last year, it was really really fun and great how you could get the kids to do lots of climbing, abseiling and caving which they would not have the opportunity to do otherwise. The feedback forms we received from the activity were that it was great fun for them to do. Dave Matthews the instructor and organizer was friendly and cheerful and made the activity extremely exciting for the children and volunteers, we have recommended you as one of our places to go to for future projects if they are in the area. Thanks again."
Chloé Telford
Action Co-ordinator, Leeds University Union

"We have been bringing parties of Year 6 children to the Peak District for the last four years and have been delighted with the rockscrambling and mine exploration that Dave Matthews has organised for us. The boys and girls have found the activities suitably challenging and immensely enjoyable. Safety is always at the forefront and the instructors have a great rapport with the children."
Chris Bunting
Old Buckenham Hall School, Suffolk

"Maddy and Joe (and I) had a great time and really appreciated your support, guidance and encouragement. Look forward to seeing you again in the near future. All the best "
Ian Drane and family

"I have have been using [Aspire Adventure Activities] on a regular basis to provide outdoor education for the young people I work with. Dave is an excellent instructor who uses empathy and humour to positively engage the young people within outdoor education. A Five star professional service."
Laurie Carefoot
Youth and Community Worker, Stockport

"Thanks for your help during the Highline Climbing Walls' Sheffield event at the Afro-Caribbean Centre at Sharrow. Your rapport and instruction of participants was greatly appreciated."
Colin Hawes
Managing Director, Modney Concepts Ltd,
Manufacturers of Highline Climbing Walls

"I wanted to do something different for my 40th birthday so I organised for a group of friends to spend the morning abseiling off Millers Dale Viaduct. It was the first time for most of us and a nerve racking prospect, but Dave & his team were absolutely brilliant. They helped us prepare and explained what would happen before we started the first abseil and were then very encouraging and supportive of the really nervous people (that included me!!). We all successfully managed the first abseil and after that there was no stopping us - we just kept on going until we ran out of time, getting bolder & braver each time. Our group ranged in age from 8 - 52. I would highly recommend Dave & his team to anyone wanting to try something new".
Debbie Boughtflower

"Thank you for a wonderful day rockclimbing and abseiling!! Dave, you made us feel at ease straight away and were friendly throughout this exciting and fun day. As complete novices, we were shown the "ropes" and everything was clearly explained and made almost easy! We were amazed at how quickly we progressed in just a few hours, and we both achieved much more than we expected to. Thanks again Dave - it was a pleasure to meet you and we hope our paths cross again!"
Katie and Luke.

"We had a fabulous time with Dave abseiling off Miller's Dale Viaduct. It was so exciting and brilliant and definitely worth trying. Many thanks"
Sukhi Nagra and group.

"Dave, thanks for the brilliant time rock climbing with you, we had a thoroughly enjoyable and fun day whilst staying at Pine Lodge Holidays."
Paul, Helen and Chris

"For the past 3 years the 20th Walsall Scout Group have been visiting [Aspire Adventure Activities] for our winter activity weekend in the Peaks. Scouting is all about making life an adventure and I would only ever use Dave as he really adds that special something to the day. Dave soon identifies the needs of everyone in his group and through his friendly banter he engages and builds a rapport with everyone. Safety is always at the forefront and Dave does it in such a professional calm way, without barking orders like some instructors from other organisations feel compelled to give which can make young people feel so nervous. As a leader whenever I book [Aspire Adventure Activities] I am confident that the Scouts will have an exhilarating day and that they will be in very safe hands”
Claire Smith
Scout Leader, 20th Walsall (St Margaret's) Scout Group

"Friendly and professional, Dave instilled our confidence in him immediately. Reassurance and gentle encouragement were constantly offered, and only interrupted by good humour, and a polite curiosity towards us, our experience, confidence, and backgrounds. We had a fabulous time abseiling and on an exploration of Matlock mine. Dave took time to bestow us with local history, and a few tall stories too. I am certain that, based on the feedback from my group, using Dave Matthews was an excellent decision. Thanks Dave!"
Nigel Rafferty
Unit Expedition Leader, No1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit
RAF Northolt

"We would like to say thank you for an excellent days activities, your service and attention was second to none and you provided a very professional service I would not hesitate to recommend and visit you again. Thank you again."
Paul Woodward

"Thank you for your help during the Highlineclimbingwalls event at the Glanville Community School, Swadlincote. Your enthusiastic instruction and rapport with participants was greatly appreciated"
Colin Hawes
Managing Director, Modney Concepts Ltd,
Manufacturers of Highline Climbing Walls