Scout Shelter - Grand Opening
On Wednesday 7th July, 1st Swaffham Prior Cubs & Scouts hosted the opening of their Shelter at the Scout Field.
Guests included delegates from local organisations who have supported the project and/or made generous donations towards the cost of the Shelter, individuals who have given up their time and/or resources to complete the project and parents of the Cubs & Scouts.
The guests were met at the main Church gate and accompanied to the Scout Field where they were given a guided tour of the site. The Cubs and Scouts had erected tents and lit fires to show how the field looks when in use.
The guests, Cubs & Scouts then assembled under the shelter where they were addressed by Tim Doe (Group Scout Leader) who outlined his vision for the field and thanked those assembled for their help with the construction. Mandy Kingsmill (Chair of SP Scout Group Committee) cut the ribbon and officially declared the Shelter 'open'.
The guests were then served with hot sausages & drinks prepared by the Cubs & Scouts.
A Personal Account -A History of the Shelter & Field Project
About six years ago, James Willmott, on behalf of Henry Hurrell offered the Scouts the use of an overgrown field at the end of the village. Little did he appreciate the significance of his kind offer.
Over time, the field was gradually cleared of thorn & bramble, but its full potential had yet to be realised.
In autumn 2008, I tabled a proposal to build a small wooden shelter so that the Scouts would have somewhere to shelter in case of rain. Nothing too elaborate, most likely a garden shed without the walls. I also knew where I could lay my hands on an old freight container which could be used for secure storage of equipment. The centre of the field whilst cleared was un-grassed and riddled with stumps so it was decided to plough it up and re-seed it. The Committee agreed, a budget was set and funding was sought.
Within no time at all, Mandy Kingsmill had secured a youth grant from County Council and along with funds from the Sports & Social Club and the Parochial Charities, we had the £1,750 we needed.
The reseeding was carried out in April 2009 but then the plans for the shelter went awry.... in a good way!! A parent, who is by trade a builder, offered his services to ensure that the shelter was built to last and be fit for purpose. He made some significant design changes supported by sound arguments which resulted in a much bigger, stronger and potentially longer lasting shelter. It would also look nicer! Work began when the posts were erected in November 2009. The trusses were put up over winter and the tiles placed. Due to the harsh winter, the roof was completed at Easter.
We all stepped back in awe at the shelter. A magnificent construction coming in at only twice the original budget for the build!
After an appeal in the Crier for unwanted fencing and building materials, two gates and a number of railway sleepers were forthcoming. The sleepers were used to form a retaining wall around the shelter base as we had a 2 foot fall in ground level and a request placed with a local company for some appropriate backfill to level up the floor. The proprietor of said company visited the site to see what was needed. Having evaluated what was required, not only did he supply the material for free, but also sent in his men and machines to ensure that the base material was correctly laid!
This was done the day before the Grand Opening was scheduled!
What's Next?
This autumn we will be:
- Finishing off the floor in the shelter
- Seeding the area around the shelter with grass
- Putting up a gate at the entrance along with some fencing
- Establishing a willow coppice
Longer Term
- Establishing a conservation area, planting new trees & bushes
- Building a small wooden eco-toilet block
Our Thanks go to:
- Henry Hurrell for the use of the field.
- Ted Hurst, John Berry, Steve Kent-Philips & the members of the Sports & Social Club for funding
- PamWaters & the members of the Parochial Charities for funding
- The Festival Committee for funding
- The Parish Council for funding
- Mick Hill for building the shelter
- Martin Mead for the shelter base
- Molly Butler of Lordship Farm, Swaffham Bulbeck, for ploughing up the field
- Dave King of Burwell for establishing the new grass
- John Norris & Michael Limb for the gates
- Ray Goddard for the sleepers
- Numerous Parents past & present