A new £90,000 welfare facility has been unveiled at the Lowestoft and District Scouts' Herringfleet campsite after years of planning, hard work and fund-raising.
The new building – which houses 10 individual self-contained pods, each containing a toilet, sink and shower – was officially opened by Suffolk County Commissioner Jenny Mullan in front of invited guests, sponsors and an enthusiastic audience of scouts, cubs and beavers.
Project team member Rodney Turner said: 'The previous toilet and shower facilities consisted of Portacabins that were donated to the Lowestoft and District Scout Association 28 years ago and which had previously been used at an offshore installation.
'The units had suffered water ingress and the floors had been patched and propped up to keep them safe and useable.
'The electric powered showers were controlled from coin fed meters for each one, and were subject to regular breakdowns.
'It had long been accepted that new facilities were required.
'Over the last three years, considerable thought and planning has gone into designing new facilities that would not just replace the existing ones but would also improve upon them.
'I have already had the privilege of using the new facilities and the shower is the nicest that I have ever had at Herringfleet.'
The new 10m x 5m timber framed and timber clad building has been designed to blend in with its woodland setting. The individual pods can used by both adults and children.
There are also two pods that are wheelchair accessible.
The opening ceremony of the new scout facilities at Herringfleet took place during the annual reunion camp last month – at which a special award was presented to District Appointments Secretary Tricia Everitt for her exceptional services to scouting in Suffolk.
A cheque for £230 was also presented to Tod Sullivan for the Help an East Coast Child charity from the collection at the St Georges Day Parade and service.
Following the opening ceremony, guests and sponsors were given a guided tour of the campsite and joined in with a variety of activities, as well as watching the scouts competing in soap-box time trials – the event being won by the 1st Pakefield group.
The day concluded with a barbecue and camp fire.
Lowestoft Scouts District Commissioner Mel Buck said: 'The scout movement in the Lowestoft District is very lucky to have access to such a wonderful site and we express our gratitude to Lord Somerleyton for allowing the continued use of the land. We also have brilliant leaders who assist with all the activities to ensure that all our boys and girls have a thoroughly enjoyable time.
'The Lowestoft and District Scout Association would like to thank the numerous individuals and organisations without whom the building would not have been possible.'
He added: 'The new building is a testament to all the hard work that has gone into its design and construction. We are particularly grateful to the Somerleyton Estate, who kindly consented to the granting of a 21-year land lease, to Wellington Construction, for their support and guidance, and to our main contractor Gilbert Builders, for their superb workmanship.
'But without the generosity of our sponsors, the £90,000 project would not have been possible and we owe them a big debt of gratitude,' Mr Buck added.
'The new building is a visible presence for all of their belief in scouting and the willingness to support it.'
Have you got a Lowestoft story? Email mark.boggis@archant.co.uk
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