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09 June, 2001  The 1^st Old Malden (St. John the Baptist) Scout Group has been awarded a grant of £187,812 by the Community Fund (the trading name of the National Lotteries Charities Board).

The project to be funded – which is planned for a two year period - will involve the demolition of the Group’s ageing hut in Malden Road, Worcester Park and the erection of a new, purpose built headquarters. It is then the intention that the use of the new building will be expanded to the benefit of the community of Old Malden.

A Group Development Team has already been formed within the Scout Group to implement the key tasks of the project and to co-ordinate the management and wider use of the new facility.

Group Scout Leader, John Eggitt, said: "We are at the dawn of a new chapter in the history of 1^st Old Malden Scout Group. It is clear that, if we all work together, all of us will have the opportunity to be part of a huge but worthwhile challenge to create a great new facility - not only for ourselves, but for the community of Old Malden as a whole."

Planning to replace the Group’s premises started in earnest two years ago and has involved much behind the scenes activity and negotiation. The 1^st Worcester Park and Old Malden Guides and Brownies (who share the existing building with the Scouts) have been involved right from the start and plans will be formalised so that they will become long term users of the new building.

The Scout Group has negotiated long term security of tenure from its current landlords, St. John the Baptist Parish Church, and will work closely with them to maximise the use of the new building, by complementing that of the adjacent church hall.

The new building – which will be of modular construction – will include a large meeting area, storage facilities, kitchen, meeting rooms and toilets. It will be totally accessible and comply with all current and proposed building, health, safety, disabled and fire regulations. The Royal Borough of Kingston approved plans last year. After construction, the Group will plan to develop and improve the facilities available in collaboration with new or potential users. It will use part of the Community Fund grant and some of its own funds, which have already been earmarked for this purpose.

1^st Old Malden acknowledges the support of the team at Kingston Voluntary Action who have assisted in the formulation of the project.

Editorial: As the only Scout Group in Old Malden, the Community Fund grant award to 1^st Old Malden sees this as an exciting opportunity to improve, develop and expand it’s Scouting services, as well as providing the opportunity to forge closer links with the local community.

 Formed in 1950, the Group currently has a Beaver Colony for it’s youngest members, two Cub Scout Packs and a growing Scout Troop.

The group are always welcome to new  Membership enquiries. The Group recently won the Kingston and Malden St. George’s Day trophy and its Scout Troop won the District Air Rifle Competition.

The Community Fund's web site can be found at: www.community-fund.org.uk

Some of the young members and leaders of the 1st Old Malden Scout Group celebrate news of their Community Fund grant.  Centre is Assistant Group Scout Leader, Tim Eggitt, who led the bidding process.

The Group's present headquarters building which will be replaced using money from the grant.

(Photos courteous of First Old Malden Scouts)