;

Wider Community to Benefit from Improved Facilities

23rd May 2003

Although traditionally the home of Scouting in the United Kingdom, the Scout Association's Gilwell Park Campsite facilities are being increasingly used by non-Scouting visitors for youth work, adult training and recreational purposes. The opening of an impressive new residential Lodge should widen the potential appeal of Gilwell Park to local, national and international visitors.

The new Lodge was opened today (Friday 23 May 2003) by Chief Scout George Purdy CBE. He was accompanied by Eleanor Laing, MP for Epping Forest. They were joined by guests from the local community, potential users and representatives of the companies involved in design and construction. They included David Bateman, Vice-Chairman, Epping Forest District Council, and John Scott, Corporate Director, Epping Forest District Council together with Head Teachers from three local schools.

"Gilwell Park welcomes approximately 17,000 Scouts each year but we also serve the needs of many other young people," said the Chief Scout. "In 2002 there were some 5,000 non Scout visitors from schools, other youth organisations and children's groups. Many were day visitors but we also have considerable demand for indoor overnight facilities as an alternative to the 37,000 camper nights provided last year."

"This new Lodge, sympathetically designed to complement its natural surroundings, offers over 50 beds in comfortable sleeping quarters with spacious dining, meeting and storage facilities. It replaces life-expired portable cabins that were a gift to Gilwell in 1982 and represents a significant step in offering much needed facilities for young people in the region," he explained.

Environmental Factors

Situated in quiet woodland areas, the new single storey Lodge has been designed to sit well within its setting, with a welcoming approach leading to a bright and open entrance area. The Lodge benefits from natural light fed through windows and skylights and incorporates a number of energy efficient and environmentally friendly features. These include a well-insulated envelope, the use of natural materials such as stone, timber cladding and copper and even incorporates a grass roof. It complements a comprehensive woodland management scheme for the Park.

Centrally heated throughout, the Lodge incorporates specially designed drying rooms and showers. The design also includes ramp access, handrails and enlarged rooms for those with special needs. The central kitchen is extensively equipped with modern cooking and food storage facilities.

A feature of the design is the ability for the Lodge to be used by different groups simultaneously with two separate accommodation wings with individual security access to each and their own toilet and shower facilities.

Looking to the Future

Escorting guests around the new facility, Chief Executive Derek Twine explained that Gilwell Park's visitor numbers have grown from 25,000 a year in 1998 to almost 40,000 in 2002. "We have spent a tremendous amount of time in an attempt to understand the interests of both our Members and our users. We are conducting a further comprehensive market survey and are commissioning a business plan we believe will confirm the need for further development so that Gilwell Park can become a centre of excellence for youth work. Throughout its history Scouting has sought to promote the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual development of young people regardless of race, creed, religion or socio-economic standing. Gilwell Park has an even greater role to play in the future in continuing to expand its work beyond the boundaries of Scout membership to even greater audiences."

Gilwell Park campsite was a gift to the Scout Movement in 1919 from a Scottish businessman. He was moved to help Scouting after witnessing Scouts operating in streets and on waste ground in the East End of London. Gilwell's proximity to the East End made it possible for these young people to have easy access to a safe rural environment. Still helping young people from all backgrounds today, Gilwell has grown into a multi-purpose training, recreational and accommodation centre. Whether visitors come for the day, to spend a morning on the climbing wall and afternoon canoeing perhaps, or arrive for an intensive weeklong Leadership course, Gilwell Park caters to every need.

New Accomodation block