Sid Vale Scout Centre celebrates 10 years of growth

Members of 1st Sid Vale Scout Group marked the tenth anniversary of the Sid Vale Scout Centre, looking back at the long road to creating the building and paying tribute to the volunteers who have kept it running.

Brian Manwaring, from 1st Sid Vale Scout Group, said the group's original building was in the Manor Road car park and had no outdoor space.

While serving as group scout leader, he approached Sidmouth Town Council about using a field and the group subsequently agreed a peppercorn rent.

Brian said: “We agreed a peppercorn rent and had the field cut because the grass was extremely long.

“Eventually we put a building up in the far corner, which is called the Pavilion building.”

Brian said the Pavilion came from a building he had helped demolish at Devonport Dockyard while working for a company there, after asking his boss whether it could be saved.

Planning permission was eventually secured to put it on the site, but the longer-term ambition was to create an entirely new Scout building.

The group began fundraising and drawing up plans before securing further planning permission.

Brian said £40,000 was initially raised for the foundations, but the money then ran out and another fundraising campaign began.

The Sidmouth Herald supported the appeal for a year and Brian said enough money was eventually secured for construction to start, with local subcontractors and volunteers helping with the work.

He said: “We eventually got enough money to build it. We made a start using a lot of local subcontract labour, with local people helping voluntarily with the finishing.

“Ten years ago, we got this lovely building.”

Brian said the centre, with underfloor heating, solar panels, showers, a kitchen and a four-acre field, had transformed what the group could offer.

He added: “We are the envy of many Scout groups to have a building like this and a field as well, where we can do activities.

“It is absolutely perfect for Scouting.”

The centre has also been credited with helping the group grow.

Brian said: “It is absolutely thriving. We have two Beaver colonies, two Cub packs, around 50 Scouts and an Explorer Unit of around 20 young people.”

He said Scouting offered much more than games and helped youngsters develop skills they could take into later life.

Brian added: “We do lots of badge work at all different things. We do not just play games.

“It prepares them for adult life.”

In his anniversary speech, Brian welcomed past and present Scout leaders, members of the building team, parents, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and members of the public.

He also recalled that broadcaster Jeremy Vine had originally opened the centre.

Brian said: “Even Jeremy Vine, who originally opened the centre, could not believe it had been that long.

“I had invited Jeremy to attend today but unfortunately he could not make it.”

He thanked the many people involved in fundraising, planning, design, engineering and construction, singling out Roger Norton for his work on the design.

A book called A New Beginning, which was displayed at the centre during the celebration, records the names of people who helped with the project.

Brian said the building had “proved its worth”, with a Scout section now meeting every evening during the week.

He also stressed the importance of those who continue to give their time.

Brian said: “The heart of any Scout group is its volunteers, be they leaders, helpers or trustees, and without them we would not have a group.

“We are so lucky to have such a great team and a huge thank you to them for giving up their time.”

Visitors to the anniversary celebration were able to see memorabilia, photographs and displays showing the group's history and activities, along with a video showing the construction of the centre.

A tree is also due to be planted to commemorate the anniversary.

Brian said dry weather meant planting had been postponed until the autumn, although a plaque had already been prepared to mark the milestone.

He also thanked those who organised the anniversary and the Summer Festival Camp team, including Vikki, after a camp which had been running for three days.

Ian Fletcher, a group leader and volunteer, also used his speech to highlight the work carried out behind the scenes and the role Brian had played in creating and maintaining the centre.

Ian said: “As we celebrate ten years of the Sid Vale Scout Centre, it is impossible not to reflect on the quiet, constant effort that has kept this place thriving.”

He said Brian had received the Silver Acorn towards the end of the previous year in recognition of his service and dedication to Scouting.

Ian added: “From leading the working party that built and shaped this centre, to turning up week after week to fix, mend, organise and improve, Brian's fingerprints are on every corner of this building.”

But he said the anniversary should also recognise the contribution of the wider volunteer team.

Ian said: “I must also get us to stop and thank our leaders.

“The amount of time and energy that goes into putting on safe, fun and engaging activities for young people must not be underestimated.”

He added: “The young people are the heart of everything we do.”

Ian also used the anniversary to appeal for more people to become involved.

He said: “To keep this momentum going, we need more hands. More volunteers. More people willing to give a little time, a little energy and a little heart.

“There are roles of every shape and size, and every one of them makes a difference.”

He added: “I can say with certainty that Scouting will have had a positive impact on our children. Their lives will be better for it.”

Richard Foord, MP for Honiton and Sidmouth and a former Scout himself, said the centre provided an important setting for youngsters.

Mr Foord said: “It is fantastic to celebrate ten years of Sid Scouts being here.

“The Salcombe Regis site is absolutely beautiful. I used to be a Scout and to have a facility like this, where you can do your annual summer camp, is incredible.

“To be so close to the sea, it is the ideal campsite for young people.”

Mr Foord said his own experience had shown him how Scouting could encourage young people to think about their contribution to the wider community.

He added: “Scouting is amazing for inculcating a public service ethos in young people.

“It teaches people not just to ask, ‘What can others do for me?’ but, ‘What can you do for society?’

“That is exactly what we need in this era and in the future too.”

Mr Foord said the enthusiasm of youngsters at the anniversary was clear.

He added: “They very much want to be here. They are having a great time, they are really enjoying themselves and they will go away with some lessons for life.”

Brian said anyone interested in joining the group could find further information through the 1st Sid Vale Scout Group website.