Scout's honour after 50 years

Chris Peal was given a memento to mark his loyalty at a party on Sundayto celebrate the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the Scout hut in Brent Road.

It was built by the 1st Bognor Scout Group whose members decided they would like their own headquarters after years of meeting at St Wilfred's Church.

Four years of fundraising '“ including events such as jumble sales '“ saw enough money brought in to build the hut.

The presentation to Chris, who joined the group as a Cub, was performed by Edna Neate. Her husband, David, was a Scout leader at the hut. He went on to become the president of the group.

Chris was also presented with a certificate by Vicky Hennessy, the district commissioner for Scouts in Bognor, in recognition of his long membership of the group.

It was also noted at the ceremony that Martyn Walker, the present Cub leader at the hut, joined the Scouting movement two days before the building was dedicated.

He still has the original uniform and certificates to prove it and has recently moved to Bognor from Surrey to resume his links with the group.

It was in 1972 that the 1st Bognor Scout Group joined with the 10th Bognor Scout Group to form the current 11th group. Both huts '“ in Brent Road and the older structure in Central Drive '“ were kept open.

The hut's anniversary is a prelude to the centenary of 1st Bognor Scout Group next year. This means 2009 will also be 100 years of Scouting in the town.

Anyone who has memories of the movement in that time should contact Barbara O'Connor on 01243 821811.

Of particular interest would be information about Paul Timms, a Cub, who sang Bless This House at the original dedication and Scout Barry Barker, who accompanied him on the piano.

Mrs O'Connor should also be contacted by anyone interested in becoming a Scout, Cub or Beaver or a leader.

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