‘Brickfields Big Build’ is one of the projects we are fundraising for on the Woggle JOGLE. The 1st Chandler’s Ford Scout Group plan to replace their dilapidated 100 year old wooden Scout hut with a fantastic dedicated Scout Activity Centre and HQ to ensure scouting does not just exist, but thrives for the next 100 years!
The rebuild project
The 1st Chandler’s Ford’s Scout hut was originally used to house refugees following the 2nd World War. The Group bought the building in 1961, and it was carefully dismantled, transported and reconstructed on their current site in Brickfield Lane.
The building is now nearly 100 years old and is reaching the end of its life. It needs a huge amount of maintenance, is very expensive to heat and has no disabled access or facilities.
A massive fundraising campaign has therefore begun to replace the hut with an amazing, purpose built Scout Activity Centre and HQ. The aim is to create an eco-friendly, accessible building that will serve the local community and surrounding areas for another 100 years.
The vision
The present Scout hut is an anomaly sitting in the middle of an industrial estate; a wooden shack amongst metal-clad warehouses. When it was first erected it was surrounded by fields, and over the last 50 years modern life has enveloped it.
This project provides the opportunity to create a highly functional, contemporary and eco-friendly building. In addition to a good sized hall, a smaller meeting area and adequate storage/ drying facilities for expedition kit, the centre will house an Activity Centre housing an indoor climbing/ abseiling facility (possibly with a community café) and archery range that can be used by the whole community. This would allow the Group to provide high quality Scouting supported by a sustainable income stream.
If this project interests you and you would like to hear more or get involved please email bigbuild@1stchandlersfordscouts.co.uk
