The Leslie Sell Activity Centre in Bromham, just outside Bedford, offers activities such as archery and climbing to around 600 Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Guides each weekend in wonderful woodland setting, but the old accommodation unit on site had seen better days, so in 2016 plans were started to fund a replacement.
Bedfordshire Freemasons agreed to raise £500,000 to enable the construction of a log built unit to include underfloor heating, showers and a modern kitchen, which is fully wheelchair-accessible and has bunks for 48 children and their helpers.
In just two years the funds were raised and construction began in July 2019, with the building substantially completed in March 2020. A grand opening ceremony had been planned for the Spring – but then of course Covid restrictions put paid to all such plans.
Two years on and May 26, 2022 will see the official opening of the facility by Peter Lowndes, the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, in the presence of local Freemasons, dignitaries and of course the Scouts.
A large engraved stone will mark the occasion, under which a time capsule has been placed.
Tony Henderson, the head of Bedfordshire Freemasons said: “This building will stand for many decades, allowing young people the opportunity to engage in the kind of pursuits that grow skills, but more importantly that grow friendships.
“Freemasonry teaches integrity, friendship, respect and charity – values that are echoed in the Scouting movement, and we very proud to have been able to build something that will stand as testament to those values.”
“I think that it has never been more important to invest our time and support in our young people,’ says Tim Kidd, the Scouts’ UK chief commissioner.
“Scouts are passionate about helping young people to achieve the very best that they can and to learn skills that will stay with them for life.
“The support from the Bedfordshire Freemasons will help Bedfordshire Scouts enormously – huge numbers of young people will use the lodge to facilitate their learning about teamwork, leadership, practical skills, the natural world around them and, above all else, how to make this world a better place.”
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