Thanks to Capt. Simon Merritt Group Scout Leader of the 2nd Cowes Scout Troop. Ed
2nd Cowes (St. Mary’s) Sea Scouts headquarters was officially reopened last week by Dame Ellen MacArthur following major renovations.
Local dignitaries, committee members, parents and many youngsters from the scout group turned out smartly for this long awaited event.
Many hard months of fundraising
Capt. Simon Merritt told the crowd that many hard months of fundraising and grant applications led to this successful outcome.
The first breakthrough came with a BiffaAward grant for £32,000 to replace the leaking asbestos roof, The Southern Cooperative raised £12,500 through their Community Support Card, National Lottery provided a further £9,800 grant towards new windows, flooring and lights.
The youngsters from the group raised the remaining £11,000 through a recent sponsored row around the Isle of Wight.
The current headquarters was originally opened by Lord Mountbatten in 1977 and has served the group well, on that occasion Lord Mountbatten stated “I am glad to have come here to open this magnificent headquarters” and read a letter from The Queen congratulating the group on their achievement.
Renovations include removal of all asbestos, new insulated roof, complete rewiring, new lighting, flooring, windows, installation of a burglar alarm and fire detection system. The boatshed has also been completely rebuilt with a new concrete floor, new windows and non-asbestos cladding.
Dame Ellen MacArthur spoke to youngsters
There weren’t sea scouts in Derbyshire where Dame Ellen MacArthur grew up and she did not have the benefit of the facilities available to youngsters of 2nd Cowes.
Ellen unveiled a plaque to commemorate the reopening of the building and was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Ellen went on to tell the youngsters how she had saved up school dinner money for a number of years to purchase her first boat which at 17 she sailed singlehandedly around Britain.
We sincerely hope some of Ellen’s inspirational attitude and dogmatic approach will be harnessed by the youngsters of Cowes.
Pleased to be back in the headquarters
We are extremely pleased to be back in the building which is once again a magnificent headquarters and will serve the group well for the coming 30 years.
Many thanks to everyone who has supported the group with funding, materials and especially to those who turned out for many long days of hard work to ensure this project was a success.
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Christian Beasley
