All Mod Cons
It was a hive of activity when we took a trip to visit the 4th Farnham (Tongham) Scouts to see how they were getting along with their new HQ….
We’re pleased to report that a lot of progress has been made since out last visit back in April of this year.
The building is really coming along leaps and bounds, from this……
….to this – the roof and windows are all finished and the building is fully watertight.
Thanks to the dedicated band of volunteers, who have worked tirelessly, it’s really taking shape.
With over double the space of their old hut, there’s a spacious entrance hall, so parents don’t have to wait in the rain, with coats and shoe racks – very useful at this time of year! The new toilet and cloakroom has an accessible loo. The kitchen is having an overhaul and there’s a handy office area too. The upstairs classroom is perfect for activities like map reading. Having the extra space means there’s plenty of room for breakout groups too.
But the pièce de résistance has to be the high-ceilinged main hall – suitable for meetings as well as all sorts of sports and activities. .
Not only that, there’s cleverly hidden storage space which makes use of all the nooks and crannies
The new 21st century scout group HQ can’t be completed too quickly. With about 80 young people at present, across Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, and a further 70 on the waiting list….not to mention the shooting club, which successfully competes at national and local level….the whole troop is eager to be in by Easter 2023.
Having already raised over £290,000 with their community work (not to mention organising all the parking for our Hop Harvest Festival weekend and manning the Kids Zone at the TEA Party!), they have carried out as much of the work as they are able to themselves, with helpers of all ages lending a hand. The next big task is to erect scaffolding to start plaster-boarding the hall. If you are able to help in any way, the Scouts would love to hear from you at http://tongham.scoutsites.org.uk/contact-us/volunteer/
In the meantime, the 4th Farnham (Tongham) Scouts are more than welcome to continue using our space as their temporary base.
Did you know….?
The scout group started in Tongham way back in 1908, on the 1st June in fact and was one of the very first scout groups. Baden Powell, who formed the Scout movement in 1907, was a former pupil at nearby Charterhouse school.
Tongham’s most famous scout was George Keen. During the Second World War, the railway sidings at Tongham were a strategically important target. George and the scout troop saved Tongham from an exploding ammunition train, which had been bombed during an air raid. He was awarded the George Medal for his bravery.
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