Pub landlord Al Murray declares Stewkley's new scout hut open for business
The construction of the hut, which is located on the village's Recreation Ground, has been a lengthy project that has been affected by rising costs and planning difficulties but it is now open and able to continue the legacy of scouting in Stewkley which dates back more than sixty years.
Executive scout leader and chairman Steve Wass said: "We started on this journey four years ago and over the time the cost has increased.
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Hide Ad"To date we have spent £125,000 but that doesn't factor in the time and cost that individuals have spent equipping the building.
"The fact that Al agreed to come and open the building is great for us.
"We have about 67 children on the books at the moment, but years ago we had about 120 across all the units.
"We used to have about 35 scouts, but now that number is just in double figures.
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Hide Ad"Now we have this new facility, combined with the new housing in the village, we hope we can keep the numbers consistent and increase them so we can move forward.
"We now have a full complement of leaders so we can have the right ratio of children to leaders which will hopefully allow us to expand and bring more things to young people.
"Now that we have our own permanent building I don't see any reason why scouting in Stewkley cannot continue to thrive for the next 60 years and beyond."
Al, whose parents still live in the village, came to cut the ribbon to declare the hut officially open.
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Hide AdHe quipped that he had been chosen to do the honours because 'Alastair Cook was at the cricket!' adding: "It was lovely to be asked especially as a show I did here in the village many years ago helped contribute some funds towards it.
"It has been quite a project with many twists along the road but I feel it is a great addition to the Recreation Ground.
"I was never actually a Stewkley scout - I can't remember what happened - I think we were out of the country when I was in the age bracket so that may be why!"