Transcript East Grinstead Courier Oct 6 1983

IT WAS a Scout's Honour indeed for the 1st East Grinstead troop last Tuesday as the Chief Scout, Maj-Gen Michael Walsh, declared its new £65,000 Moat Road headquarters official­ly open. Some 300 scouts, leaders, parents and friends packed into the main hall to attend the unveiling ceremony. And a fanfare played as 130 boys and girls from 1st East Grinstead's four scouting groups marched proudly into their new home.

It had taken 18 months of hard work and determination — since fire gutted the former HQ —but, at long last, one of Britain's oldest scout troops was installed in a headquarters justifiably claimed to be the pride of the district. Since March last year, scouts and their leaders from the 1st East Grinstead have been like wandering nomads. The troop has met in borrowed accom­modation and often held its ac­tivities in the open air even in the very worst wintery conditions. And there was a time when the troop was in danger of folding. An insurance mix-up left the troop without a penny when the old headquarters was gutted by fire. It was only after the Press told of the scouts' plight that the mix-up was resolved and insurance cover of £43,750 paid out.

Council grants, voluntary donations and substantial fund-raising by the scouts themselves helped the 1st East Grinstead. Scout troop to build a bigger and better headquarters on its tradi­tional Moat Road site. Maj-Gen Walsh opened the new HQ and unveiled a com­memorative plaque expressing thanks to the many individuals, companies and organisations who gave their support.

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