SEA Scouts in Warwick are preparing to set sail on a new future this weekend
The doors will be opened on 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts’ newly completed HQ and community building in St Nicholas Park on Saturday.
It follows a £1.1million fund-raising drive which included a £225,000 grant from the Norton Foundation to fund the final building works. They also received major grants from Warwick District Council WDC), HS2 Community and Environment Fund and the Charitable Trust & King Henry VIII Endowed Trust.
The additional funds were raised through on-going efforts from the group’s youngsters and volunteers – from car park marshalling to climbing Ben Nevis, together with many other trusts and private donations
The new HQ – named ‘TS Norton’ (Training Ship Norton) in recognition of the generous grant the Norton Foundation made – will be opened at a gala launch by scout adventurer Sal Montgomery.
The group members, former members and invited guests will attend a formal opening in the morning and the sea scouts are hoping as many former members as possible can join them to celebrate.
There will be an open house at TS Norton from 1pm to 4pm when members of the community are invited to come along for a tour of the building, and also enjoy a barbecue, refreshments and stalls from the RNLI, Royal British Legion and Royal Navy. The Coventry Festival Band will also be performing until 1.30pm.
WDC chairman Coun Neale Murphy said: “‘I was lucky to get a sneak preview of the new HQ ahead of its formal gala opening and it was fantastic to see the amazing new community facilities.
“It was great to chat to some youngsters too and hear all about their adventures at their recent summer camp in Windermere. It really brought home why such facilities are so important for the district’s young people,who really benefit from the life-long skills and experiences on offer with 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts, whilst also establishing a great
new community venue in the heart of Warwick. I also enjoyed reminiscing about my time in the Royal Navy.”
Alan Bailey, chairman of the Norton Capital Grants Committee, added: “Young people, through scouting, now have a great place in which to learn and grow through the opportunities created by this enthusiastic group of scouting volunteers.
“The Norton Foundation recognizes that investing in the Training Ship Norton is one of the best investments it can make locally to help develop the leaders of tomorrow. It wishes all young people well who “sail in her”.
“I have never seen such a group of adult volunteers set themselves such a high target and then achieve it in the most professional way. You and your team will leave a legacy in Warwick difficult to surpass.”
Former members or supporters of 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts who would like to attend the formal gala opening in the morning should email [email protected]
The scouts will now move on to renovating their old HQ into a new boathouse as the final stage in their project.
