DUKE OF KENT SWITCHES ON SCOUT ASSOCIATION CORPORATE WEBSITE
27th April 2001
HRH The Duke of Kent declared Gilwell House, The Scout Association's new Headquarters building in Chingford, officially open today (Friday April 27). The Duke, who is President of the Association, toured the organisation's new national offices and also met staff.
During the high profile visit he unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion, and was then invited to launch The Scout Association's new corporate website at http://www.scouts.org.uk/.
Scouting already has ScoutBaseUK (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/), one of the largest and most successful charity websites in the UK serving the needs of its half a million Members. The new site is specifically aimed at non- Scouting audiences looking for information about the modern Scout Movement and its work with young people.
HRH then took time to meet young people in the grounds of Gilwell Park who showcased a wide range of talents from circus skills to abseiling. The scouts, aged between six and 18, came from all over Essex including the Districts of Colchester East, Southend Estuary as well as Halstead and Colne Valley.
Dignitaries gathered included the High Sheriff of Essex, George Courtauld; the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Braybrooke and Superintendent of the Conservators of Epping Forest, Jeremy Wisenfeld. Representatives from Epping Forest District Council and Essex County Council attended as well as Mrs Eleanor Laing MP (Epping Forest). MPs Bob Russell (Colchester) and David Amess (Southend West) represented the All Party Scout Group.
On arrival, HRH was welcomed by Chief Scout George Purdy and the Chief Executive of The Scout Association, Derek Twine.
The Scout Association has co-located its offices from central London and Lancing, to Gilwell Park in Chingford, reinforcing strong links to its international camp site which it has owned since 1919.
Gilwell Park, the heart of Scouting, is not only known as a centre of adult Leader training but also a camping ground for young people throughout the world.
