The 1st Birchington Air Scout Group’s scout hut has been officially reopened after an £84,600 project to refurbish the site.
In February the group was awarded the money from the government’s Youth Investment Fund to being its building up to standard and make it more energy efficient.
Deputy Group Lead Volunteer Richard Phillpot said: “We were awarded a grant of up to £84,600 which was to replace the old roof, boiler, cavity wall insulation and a few other improvements, to enable us to continue offering scouting to the young people of Birchington and make sure the Scout hut is up to standard to ensure Scouting can continue for many years to come.
“We were coming under increasing financial pressure with heating costs for running the hall so this grant makes sure we are future proof. 1st Birchington Air Scout Group has been around since 1910 and the hut has been in its current location in Prospect Road since 1934.
“The group is run by an amazing set of leaders and volunteers who are dedicated to offering Scouting and adventure to the young people of Birchington. We are always on the lookout for more help so people can contact us if they would be interested.”
The 1st Birchington Air Scout Group was one of 140 youth projects in England to benefit from a Youth Investment Fund grant, announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the charity Social Investment Business. Margate Sea and Royal Marine Cadets also received a grant of £120,884 which helped refurbish much of the existing timber ‘hut’ constructed as a temporary unit around 1965, bringing it up to current building standards.
The scout hut in Prospect Road, Birchington, was reopened at the AGM last month by village councillor, and former Cub, Cllr George Kup.
There has been a Scout group in Birchington from as early as 1910, three years after Robert Baden-Powell arranged the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island in 1907.
The first Scout Troop was called 7th Margate and in 1916 had a membership of 29 boys.
The 7th Margate Troop moved from the Methodist Church to a new premises in 1934-35. The land was donated by Alderman G B Farrar and the first stone was laid by Mrs Farrar. The building was completed in February 1935 at an approximate cost of £400. The troop at this time was known as 7th Margate and 1st Birchington. In 1948, the 7th Margate was dropped and the group became 1st Birchington.
In 1986, under the then Group Scout Leader Mr N Smith, the group became “Air Scouts” and started to learn about planes and flying. Since then 1st Birchington Air Scout Group has grown from strength to strength, regularly passing their 18 monthly Air Inspection by the RAF.
The group caters for six to 18-year-olds and runs a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and Air Scout Troop and is partnered with an Explorer Unit.
Find out more at: https://www.1stbirchington.org.uk/index.html
