A HISTORIC Scout hut has had an impressive revamp.

The Scouting community of Moreton-in-Marsh gathered to celebrate the re-opening of the newly refurbished Scout hut by Lord Dulverton. This year the hut has undergone an extensive programme of refurbishment, with new heating, wiring and windows and (for the first time) insulation in the walls and roof. During the works it was discovered that a gable wall also had to be rebuilt, and all of this could not have happened without generous funding from the Moreton-in-Marsh Charity, Loudham Estates and other anonymous donors.

For the occasion, Scouts and Scout leaders past and present were invited, with today’s Cubs and Scouts serving tea and cakes to their predecessors from more than forty years ago. Attendees included Margaret Peaston, who retired as Akela of the Cubs in 1978 and Mike Rees who succeeded her. Barry Peaston, also a Scout leader in the seventies attended along with three generations of the Hemming family, all of whom have been Scouts and Scout Leaders in Moreton and Bourton-on-the-Water.

It is sixty-one years since the original hut was opened by Lord Dulverton’s father in 1958 and some of the guests recalled the wooden hut, situated nearby, that they had met in in the early fifties. Through all this time the Scout movement has provided opportunities for the children of Moreton-in-Marsh, giving them the opportunity to camp in the woods, learn practical skills and spend time at Scout events across the county and further afield. Sometimes much further afield: this Summer, one member of the North Cotswold and Shipston Explorers will join 40,000 other Scouts at the World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.

Scout District Commissioner, Tony Dale, thanked Lord Dulverton and added his special thanks to Oli Robins who oversaw the building works. Oli has recently stepped down as Scout leader after almost 20 years of service and James Livingstone was welcomed as the new Scout Leader. Also present with some of their charges were Beaver leaders Louise Elliot and Emma Droy, Cub leader Judy Bickford and Dan Udell, Explorer Scout Leader and Assistant Scout Leader. Alison Eastabrook was welcomed along with some of her Guides, who also use the Scout Hut.

Three previous District Commissioners associated with Moreton Scouts were also welcomed to the occasion (Colin Hancox, Steve Perry and Tim Hemming).

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts welcome all children from 6-18 years of age, meeting weekly. The next major event is the annual street fayre in the centre of town on Sunday the July 7 from 10am – 3 pm.