THERE are exciting times ahead for 1st Fordingbridge Scouts after it raised £35,000 to complete the first phase of work to revamp its headquarters.

A special ceremony was held on Saturday to celebrate the completion of work to replace the ailing and leaky roof at Roundhill Hall.

It was attended by town mayor, Cllr Malcolm Connolly, and MP Desmond Swayne as well as other representatives from organisations including Ringwood and Fordingbridge Lions Club. 

The scouts raised money for the project themselves — holding a variety of fundraising activities including bag packing, raffles and quiz nights. Assistant scout leader Derrin Berry raised more than £2,500 when he took part in his first tandem skydive in February.

Grants and sponsorship were obtained from a number of organisations, which included £10,000 from the National Lottery Big Lottery Fund.

A donation of £600 from Ringwood and Fordingbridge Lions Club was given to the Scouts during the ceremony on Saturday.

1st Fordingbridge Scouts group chairman Martin Smethers said the project so far would not have been possible without the support of sponsors, parents, and scout leaders as well as the community as a whole.

He said: “We have got really ambitious plans for the future. We have got in the region of £7,000 left over from the initial appeal, which is a good base to start our future work.”

The next phase of the project will see the toilets and showers revamped and disabled facilities added to make the hall more user-friendly. The group hopes to carry out work both to the inside and outside of the building to smarten it up.

“It will enhance the facilities and make it much more accessible,” added Martin.

Fundraising efforts will continue and the group hope work on the next phase of the project, which has been estimated at about £60,000, can start as soon as possible.

Anyone who can help with fundraising is asked to contact Martin by emailing martin@fordingbridgescouts.org or calling 01425 652196. For more information go to fordingbridgescouts.org.uk n Turn to page 6 to see more pictures from the ceremony.