Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, was recently invited to perform the ceremonial opening of the Second Wickford Scouts’ hut, following a major rebuilding of the hut which included a £70,000 extension to the premises, financed largely by the help of a £50,000 grant from the Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust (VPMT).
Mark Francois cut the ribbon to the scout hut before Cllr Ann Blake, who is a member of the Trust’s board, presented a commemorative plaque to the second Wickford Scouts to mark the occasion. The revamped premises will provide a secure, energy-efficient environment, as well as disabled access and facilities to more than 100 Scouts.
Mark was also able to stay on for the Second Wickford Scouts’ Annual General Meeting, which was well attended by scouts, volunteers and parents, and offered a welcome opportunity to reflect on a successful year of achievements.
Mark congratulated the Second Wickford Scouts on accomplishing such an ambitious project, and thanked all of the volunteers for their time and dedication in helping to provide such a good scouting experience for young people, in and around the Wickford area.
Commenting on the opening, Mark said:
I am very appreciative of the value of the scouts, teaching young children about teamwork and discipline, encouraging them to become active members of the community, and doing all of this in such an enjoyable way. I am delighted that this ambitious project has come to successful fruition, not only for the benefit of all those current scouts in Wickford, but also for the generations of scouts to come”.
