The community of Marchwood is one step closer to benefitting from a new combined community, Scout and Guide hall thanks to a generous donation of £100,000 from the Barker-Mill Foundation and Barker-Mill Estates.
The funds were donated to the Marchwood Scout and Guide Building Management Committee which is overseeing the fundraising and eventual construction of the new building on the Lloyd Recreation Ground.
The new facilities will replace a dilapidated, damp and pre-fabricated 1950’s building currently only occupied by the Scouts, with a new building that will be available to the general public as well as the Scouts and Guides. The guides currently rent space that has become increasingly price prohibitive resulting in the group having to reduce its activities.
Jonathan Holmes, chair of the Marchwood Scout and Guide Building Management Committee, said: “The community aspect of this building is particularly important to us. The Scouts and Guides will only be using the building in the evenings and we wish to open the building up for community and other social use during the day and at weekends. The village has limited sporting facilities and we aim to offer both and expect demand to grow.
“The village hall is frequently fully booked and as Marchwood may expand with up to 1000 new homes over the coming years, demand for community space will increase. We are very grateful to the Barker-Mill Foundation and Barker-Mill Estates for providing us with a such a vast donation that means we are closer to making the new building a reality.”
The projected budget for the build is £425,000. So far, the management committee has secured over £350,000 in grant funding from organisations with local interests. It has also raised £17,000 through fundraising events including quiz nights and sponsored events involving the Scouts and Guides. With over 85% of the money required already raised the building work is now underway while the remaining funds for completion are secured.
Tim Jobling, BMF Trustee, said: “Community facilities are so important but with a lack of central funding available it’s down to the good will of the community and local organisations to help make it happen, and I applaud the Marchwood Management Committee and everyone who has donated in some way for making it happen. I’m sure the new building is going to be very well received once it is up and running.”
To find out more about the Marchwood Scout and Guide Building Management Committee, or donate towards the new facilities, email: marchwoodscoutandguidehall@gmail.com