A GROUND-BREAKING ceremony has celebrated the start of work on a new headquarters for sea scouts in Warwick.
The 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts scout – which is marking its 60th year – has raised £620,000 towards its ‘Building the Future’ project.
It has so far seen new jetties and a boatyard built, and a new hq next to St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre will mean up to 50 more youngsters can join the group., which has some 150 members.
The ceremony saw assistant scout leader Neil Pitchford start the work off – ten years after he first began the drive for the new hut.
He said: “It is amazing to see the new hut about to be built. It has been a long hard journey to get to this stage, and we have had numerous plans, designs and sites for our new hut over the years. We’ve also had to put huge efforts into fundraising too.
“It is great the future of the group will now be secure and my grandson, a Beaver in the group, will have a new hut to see him grow through the group, so he can also benefit from the opportunities my children have had at 2nd Warwick.”
But the group is still calling for support to raise the additional £70,000 needed to complete building work by next April.
Group leader Marc Gadsby said: “This is a fabulous way to celebrate our 60th anniversary.
“It’s amazing to look back on the history of the group and see how we have grown from our small beginnings in 1959 to now building our amazing new hut.
“We are really looking towards the next 60 years, and hope with one final push, we can secure the final funds to finish our new hut, which will be a real benefit to youngsters in Warwick for the next 60 years and beyond.”
Visit www.2wk.org.uk/new-hq to donate or find out more.
