HQ refit ready to start and Contractor engaged!
This is the first of a series of newsletters to update you on how we are progressing the rebuild of the 1st Welwyn Scout Group HQ, re equipping the Group and expanding its membershipMy name is Andy Trotter, I have been Chairman of Welwyn Festival for the last 15 years, and took over as Chairman/Group Scout Leader of 1st Welwyn Scout Group last autumn. I was a parent helper, assistant Group Scout Leader and Scout Leader in the Group through the 1980/90s.
Most of you will be aware that two years ago we had to close the HQ due to extensive water penetration and dampness, over the last six months we have been preparing for the refit of the HQ by getting the consents and tenders needed.
We have received an offer of a new 126 year lease which should receive council approval in June, and planning consent was granted in March for the major external work.
After Easter we appointed Shepherd Construction and we expect they will start work in the next couple of weeks. We will be totally replacing the asbestos roof with a steel one providing 11.5cm (4.5in) insulation and providing 10cm (4in) insulation to the walls under a decorative render. These 2 improvements will create a modern looking warm and comfortable building. The internal redecoration, floor coverings and disabled ramp had to be omitted from Phase 1, as funds are not yet available.
We are applying for those funds now from various local groups and charitable bodies, will be selling ducks for the duck race, and helping with the car park to raise funds at Welwyn Festival Fun Day, and amongst other things, aim to hold at least two social events after the summer holidays, to get funds to complete the refit/re equipping, we still need at least £20,000.
We will also be seeking parent help in August to complete redecoration of the interior and relaying of floor coverings we already have, this will allow meetings to restart in September for all age groups.
Thank you to the volunteer helpers who cleared the HQ of 47 years of accumulated "things that will come in useful", but needed to go to give the builders room to move. A double industrial skip was filled!
Also the trees and huge bushes that had grown over the roof and gutters have been cut down, these had blocked gutters and drains. Leaves and earth had piled up to 150mm or more against the HQ walls, causing penetrating damp in a number of areas. This has all been dug out and removed.
The HQ has now dried out and the refit will renew damp protection at ground level, and high capacity gutters and drains which will prevent a recurrence of the problems that lead to closure of the HQ.
Equipment.
Our old camping equipment, which has been stored in a container for two years, is sufficient to tide us over for the next 9 months or so, but most of it needs replacement as it is past it's serviceable life so we will also need to fund raise for replacement equipment of a more modern durable standard to be purchased in the autmn sales.
Finances
Dennis Spruce joined us in the autumn of 2013 as our new treasurer, and has got to know the parents as he helped collect last terms subs, as well as several years of Gift Aid, which will be invaluable in swelling our coffers. He will soon be "nagging" parents for next terms subs and to get the last few GiftAid Declarations signed.
He has claimed over £2,500 GiftAid from HMRC this year already, so it really is beneficial. Please remember, Every Penny Counts at the moment.
Fundraising
Pat Try has worked tirelessly over the last 15 years plus, to get us to the stage where Phase 1 of the HQ refit can be implemented, below is her report on what further action is required to complete Phase 2 and the re equipping of the Group.
The committee have been pushing along with making applications to several major grant schemes e.g. the Land Fill Trust (Biffa), who part funded playgrounds in the village, UK Power Networks, John Lewis Partnership and Awards for All.
Local district councillor's Community Awards via Sandra Kyriakides and Mandy Perkins - £1,600 was received, Hertfordshire County Council, Welwyn Wailers - £800 was received, Welwyn Festival who will give £1,000, and further applications will be made shortly. These will include Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Community Foundation, the Sylvia Adams Charitable Fund and the Leslie Sell Foundation. National grant making trusts will include the Garfield Weston Trust, the Alchemy Foundation and the Percy Bilton Charity.
If you know of any other likely sources of funding, please let us know, or if you are happy to hold an event, or wish to make a donation.
Committee members
At present our committee consists of myself, the treasurer, our lead fund raiser and the leaders
The leaders need to concentrate their efforts on the programmes for the young people we serve so if you can spare two hours every second month for our meetings and/or any other time you are prepared to offer on helping with work to the HQ, events, publicity for the group, secretary for our meetings, or any other skill you think can benefit and support 1st Welwyn, I would be most grateful to hear from you.
We have a nucleus of great leaders and young people, we now want to expand it to serve more of the local young people, to give them the start in life and life skills that I have seen my two sons gain and the thousands of young people the Group has dealt with since 1908 when scouting started in Welwyn. We were founded in the year scouting started, so are one of the oldest Groups in the world, and if the council approve our new 126 year lease, our future will be secure well into the next century.
Thanks,
Andy.
