Hiring village and church halls in the Village News area has
always been difficult. There simply aren’t enough of them to go round. Anyone
trying to book St Nicholas’ Church Hall in Church Lane, Chislehurst, for a
Friday evening party would be met with an apologetic, “Sorry, it’s already
booked.” “What, for December next year?” “Yes.”
The reason for this Friday evening slot being so full up was
because Chislehurst’s Invicta Scouts had
taken up residency. Ever since their old scout hut was raised to the ground by
vandals in August 1997, they have been somewhat nomadic, with their Cubs in a
church hall off the High Street and the Scouts in Church Lane.
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| Gary Peppiatt, District Commissioner, with Invicta Scouts |
Their original scout hut could have been found on a small
piece of land off the footpath that runs between Belmont Parade and Kemnal Road.
However, when the scout hut was burned down and planning permission was sought
to rebuild it, Invicta Scouts were refused due to lack of vehicular access.
There then followed a sixteen year hiatus whilst a new site was found.
Eventually the playground at Chislehurst Recreation Ground was moved and the
scout hut was rebuilt on the site of the old playground, and last Saturday this
new hut had its grand opening.
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| l-r (seated): Sir Roger Sims, Bob Neill MP, Councillor Boughey |
Now, this being Chislehurst, the hut is no longer referred
to as a hut. The other scout group in Chislehurst, 5th Chislehurst, does have a
“hut” although it is actually an old stables. Invicta Chislehurst’s hut is now
being referred to, rather smugly, as a “Headquarters”. Whilst we wait for Invicta
Chislehurst to use its HQ as a base for world domination, we should also report
that hut or no hut, it’s a superb building that will probably keep the
scouts where they shouldn’t be - inside, what with hot water, toilets that flush,
a kitchen and even a carpet, with not a spider in sight. Baden Powell will be
turning in his grave!
The Grand Opening attracted the great and the good from
local scouting. Bob Neill, MP for Bromley & Chislehurst and a Vice President
of Bromley Scout District Executive, was in attendance and said a few appreciative words. He
was accompanied by ex-Bromley and Chislehurst MP, Sir Roger Sims, who is the
Bromley Scout District President. Chislehurst Councillor, Katy Boughey was also
in attendance, representing Bromley Council that was congratulated for coming to the rescue with a
suitable site.
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| Claire Hannam, Group Scout Leader, has trouble with Royal icing |
In the meantime, if it’s a party you’re after, we understand
that St Nicholas’ Church Hall is now free on Fridays. And, if you find that
both scout groups are full up, you could always build a new hut on the site of
Invicta Chislehurst’s old one as, somewhat ironically, it now does have
vehicular access.
I think that this story somewhat misses the point about what scouting is about. All scout 'huts' are actually Headquarters, and vary widely in style, size and building type.
ReplyDeleteYou also fail to mention that the building is also available for community use.
Many thanks for your comment "Anonymous". We were merely commenting on one of the recorded speeches that was given at the opening ceremony which stated, "It's so grand we just can't call it a hut any more." We failed to mention that the building is also available for community use because when we made enquiries a short while ago we were told that it wasn't. If it is available, please don't hide behind anonymity, let us know who you are and let us know when and to whom it is available and we will publicise it, as community space is like gold dust in the Village News area. Best wishes. Jane Moran
DeleteWhat a poorly written, factually untrue piece of journalism!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your comment taz2553. However, you criticise the article for being factually untrue without specifying exactly what is factually untrue. Chislehurst, Petts Wood and Bickley Village News reports are "Original, Independent, Interesting" which would not be the case if they were poorly written. They are also well-researched, checked and factually correct. If there is something that you believe to be untrue, let us know what it is and we will investigate it. Best wishes. Jane
DeleteYou say you get your facts right!!! Well you haven't! Among other things Scouts actually go from 6yrs to 25yrs and then the leaders are scouts too. I can clearly see a Beaver Scout (6 to 8yr olds) in the picture. Also, Baden Powell was a man of his time and a forward thinker. He would have encouraged people moving with the times. He would have been frustrated just as we all are about the red tape and risk assessments that have to be adhered to but he would have just gone with it as we have to. Why shouldn't the scouts have flushing toilets...you do in your own home. The Scouts do the "out" in scouting, but there is nothing wrong with "facilities" for the indoor activities, especially in the cold dark nights of winter.
DeleteOne very sorry thing about this sarcastic article......you don't mention the fantastic work that Leaders do and the enjoyment the children and young people have from the activities they do.....NO! of course you don't because that is GOOD NEWS and ENJOYABLE.... It's about time journalists started to report good things instead of making sarcastic comments. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit and you have crossed the line.
I hope the locals who read the village news are very proud of you.
Yours
a long standing Scout leader who tries to give kids activities to enjoy and learn from. (perhaps you should!)
This is a really odd take on what is an excellent good news story for the local community.
ReplyDeleteHeadquarters is not a smug term, its the correct term to use, its defined as the "centre of operations" from which young people and adults volunteers can prepare for outdoor adventures, whilst meeting regularly to complete the hugely varied programme.
A hut is "a small dwelling of simple construction" - so not the correct term. The new facilities in this building will support Scouting in their objective of being fully inclusive to all. Also Scouting numbers of Girls and Boys are growing at the fastest rate since the 60's, so upgrading a buildings so we have the capacity for large groups with multiple is a must!
Far from "world domination", Scouting will be helping the young people at this group achieve their own potential - it’s a great shame that this wasn't reflected in this article - perhaps in a follow up article we could hear some more about the Fun, Challenge and Adventures that this new facility has enabled?
Many thanks for your refreshingly non-anonymous comments Paul.
DeleteWe weren't calling the Headquarters "smug," - snug maybe - we used smugly, an adverb, to describe the "referring," not "smug" which, as you are no doubt aware, is an adjective.
We are always pleased to receive stories about scouting in the Village News area. In fact, "Local scout saves a life" has been our number two most popular post for some time, eclipsed only - somewhat incongruously - by "Surf & Turf is open," which is, in fact, now closed. Jane
What a wonderful opportunity, at the opening of the new 'headquarters', to say thank you to the dedicated leaders of this group. They have worked tirelessly for years to achieve the building of this magnificent 'headquarters'.
ReplyDeleteAs for your comments 'Invicta Chislehurst’s hut is now being referred to, rather smugly, as a “Headquarters”. Whilst we wait for Invicta Chislehurst to use its HQ as a base for world domination,' and 'Baden Powell will be turning in his grave!' I feel was most unnecessary and in very poor taste.
All good wishes to the hard working leaders of this group and please carry on giving the children/young people of the area a place to call their own and keep themselves occupied while learning to look after their environment rather than destroying it.
I usually read "visit chislehurst" or "news shopper" web pages , but was told of this site as another local source of information. Oh dear ! how awful that the story written about the new scouts building , which I have seen frequently while walking my dog , has been covered in such an appalling and insulting way. If that is the only way for you to gain readers then how sad for you. I think it looks fantastic and will bring a lot of happiness to local children for many years to come . You should be praising local achievements instead of slandering them with words like world domination !
ReplyDeleteWhat a great turn out last Saturday. Visit Chislehurst also reported on the new Invicta opening which you may find interesting. http://www.visitchislehurst.org.uk/news/hello-were-invicta-scouts
ReplyDeleteLooks as though Chislehurst, Petts Wood and Bickley Village News is the website other websites turn to!!!
DeleteLet's calmly assess the editor's disparagement of those that wish to remain anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThe editors (Jane and Richard) use their first names only, what are they hiding? Do they have any links to the events and products being supported on this site? Perhaps they would like to declare publicly their conflicts of interest.
Is it a coincidence that John Hemming Clark is/owns SearchLinePublishing who publishes this site? Perhaps his role as scout leader for 5th Chislehurst Scout group is behind the awful coverage of Invicta’s Success in building its new head-quarters.
Another anonymous comment, unlike us. Take a look at the Village News website before throwing stones. How can we be hiding anything? Our names and details of the owner and publisher are all available on the Contact Us page.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have links to everything supported on this site. We eat in the restuarants, drink in the pubs, shop in the shops, use the businesses, worship in the churches, walk in the woods, have attended some of the schools. Our conflicts of interest are therefore with everything.
Is what a coindence? John Hemming-Clark is an excellent scout leader. This year he was a runner-up as Best Scout Leader in Bromley Scout District. The article that you refer to as "awful coverage" states that the local scout leaders are excellent, as are the guide leaders locally. We made a light-hearted comment about a "hut," that's all!
We've had enough of anonymous comments. So Mr thin-skinned, angry and disaffected scout leader - reveal yourself!
Jane (Moran)