Leighton Buzzard scouts hope new building The Ark will become community hub

Leighton Buzzard scouts have celebrated a successful summer in their new building 'The Ark' – and hope it will become a community hub.

Church Riverside Scouts were left devastated in September 2024 when their hut fell victim to flooding from Clipstone Brook – with four inches of water leaving Irreparable damage.

Members of Church Riverside Scouts outside The Ark. Image: Church Riverside Scouts.

placeholder image — Members of Church Riverside Scouts outside The Ark. Image: Church Riverside Scouts.

But thanks to an enormous community effort, £250,000 was raised to build the group a new home – which opened in March with "a real sense of pride and excitement".

Mikey Fardell, trustee at Church Riverside Scouts, said: "We ran a ballot on the opening day with over 200 visitors voting on their preferred name.

The old hut. Image: Church Riverside Scouts.

"'The Ark' represents both the story of surviving the flood and the idea of providing a safe place where our young people can come together.

"Scouting is all about adventure, resilience, teamwork and looking after one another – and those values have been at the heart of the whole rebuilding project."

As a thank you for the "incredible support" from the community, the scouts hope that The Ark can become a hub for people in Leighton-Linslade.

The building is available for hire, with different groups invited to use the "modern, flexible space" throughout the week.

The Appreciation Board. Image: Church Riverside Scouts.

Mikey explained: "The building has been designed to be much more than simply a scout hut, and we hope to welcome other local organisations, community groups, and clubs looking for an affordable, accessible meeting space.

"We are particularly keen to hear from local groups who might benefit from having a regular place to meet."

Meanwhile, the scouts are "absolutely delighted" to finally have their own home again, while the building means its leaders can provide a much wider range of activities.

"Scouting gives young people a place to belong along with the opportunity to learn skills that they might not learn anywhere else, while having fun and making friends along the way," added Mikey.

The then mayor, cllr David Bligh, at the opening of the hut. Image: Church Riverside Scouts.

The hut opened in March 2026 with welcome messages from Sue Jordan representing the Plenderleath family (George Plenderleath was a founding member of Church Riverside), councillor Emma Holland-Lindsay, Richard Johnson OBE, chair of The District Scouts Trustee Board, and town mayor (at the time) David Bligh.

The opening was attended by over 200 guests who enjoyed a barbecue and cutting the ribbon to officially open The Ark.

Mikey said: "We would like to thank everyone who donated money, organised fundraising events, gave their time, provided professional advice, helped with the planning and construction, or simply encouraged us when the project seemed particularly difficult.

We are especially grateful to the local community, charitable organisations, grant providers, businesses and individuals who supported the fundraising effort.

"Most importantly, we would like to thank the volunteers and supporters who kept everything moving forward.

"Rebuilding after such a major setback has been a huge undertaking, and it has demonstrated just how much can be achieved when a community comes together."

The group's next project is to resurface the carpark and the Church Riverside Scouts are "well on our way" to raising the funds needed.

If you would like to volunteer or enrol your child into the Beavers, Cubs or Scouts – or if you are interested in using The Ark as a community space – please email [email protected] for more information.