New home for Tadley scouts (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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New home for Tadley scouts
2:00pm Saturday 9th February 2013 in News By Adam Richards
Dame Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, receives an album of memories from Scouts
IT was a diamond day for Tadley Scout Group when their new hall was officially opened.
The Diamond Scout Centre, on the Southdown playing fields in Tadley, will now be a base for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers.
At Saturday’s opening, Scouts were joined by MP Sir George Young, Dame Mary Fagan, who is Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and president of Hampshire Scouts, and Councillor Martin Biermann, Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.
Dame Mary, who opened the building, said: “It’s a lovely project. There are 19,000 scouts in Hampshire, which is the largest number in England.”
The new purpose-built centre replaces the Scouts’ old premises off Aldermaston Road at Boundary Hall.
Tadley Scout Group chairman Brian Spray described it as “moving from a shed to a luxury apartment”.
The previous base was demolished when 114 houses were built at Titherley Park by developer Bellway Homes.
The new facility was part of the development agreement and the company has been made an “honorary member” of the Tadley Scout Group.
North East Hampshire MP Sir George Young welcomed the new building.
He said: “This is just a much better base for the Scouts in and around Tadley.”
The hall includes a kitchen and toilets with wheelchair access and parking.
At the ceremony, chairman of Tadley Town Council Jo Slimin presented Mr Spray with a Good Citizen Award for his efforts in seeing the group’s dream become a reality.
She said: “This would not have happened in any way shape or form if it were not for his efforts.”
Mr Spray said getting the hall built had been “an emotional process”.
