Lord Mayor takes the plunge in abseil challenge

Mar 17 2009 by Jane Tyler, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM’S Lord Mayor showed his fearless side when he abseiled at a Birmingham adventure centre.

Coun Chauhdry Rashid took the plunge when he officially opened The Ackers Adventure Activity Centre’s new Tower.

The plucky mayor abseiled down the 22 metre high tower – and lived to tell the tale.

“I was really scared because I hadn’t done anything like this before,” he said.

“But everyone was watching me so I was determined to have a go.

“I just thought, don’t look down and you’ll be okay, and I was. I really enjoyed it and am glad I did it.”

The Tower is the newest piece of equipment at Ackers, in Golden Hillock Road, Sparkhill.

As well as abseiling it also has the longest and fastest zip wire in the region and the Fan Descender – a nerve- wracking freefall parachute jump replica.

Other activities are Ackers include skiing, climbing, archery, canoeing and kayaking.