Leighton Buzzard scout group set to open new hut after flooding
A Leighton Buzzard scout group is celebrating the opening of its new hut, after its previous one was flooded.
Church Riverside Scout Group’s previous hut on Hockliffe Road was hit by flooding in September 2024, after Clipstone Brook burst its banks in a heavy storm, with the hut filled by four inches of water at one point.
The building, which is used by 60 children, was forced to close, with a new hut now built on the same site after a journey of a year and a half in which more than £250,000 was raised towards the project.
Group chair for Church Riverside Scout Group Paul Casey said: “We are truly grateful to our local community, businesses, charities and volunteers who have supported us throughout this journey.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and the support we received ensures we can continue delivering Scouting for many years to come.”
As part of the process of constructing the new hut, members of the scouts got to lay real bricks under the guidance of Leighton Buzzard-based tradespeople SD Carpentry.
Members of the community, local businesses and charitable organisations that played a key part in the rebuild have been invited to the official opening, scheduled for Saturday March 28 between 11am and 2pm.
Members of the scouts will cut the ribbon to officially open the building, while a display that highlights the positive impact of the community’s support will be on view.
Isla Fardell, aged 11, a member of the scout group said: “When I heard the scout hut had got flooded I didn’t know what to do.
“I didn’t know if I was going to move to a different group, but then as soon we went down we got straight up and started to fundraise.
“It has taken so long to rebuild and it was such an experience doing all the brick laying. I can’t wait for us to be back in our new hut.”
A current GoFundMe page for the group has raised £1,115, with this money going towards the replacement of items lost when the previous building flooded.