newsletter issue 13 - winter 2010

Harmondsworth Scouts get new garden

Grants totalling £44,000 from Hillingdon community trust have enabled 1st Harmondsworth scouts to turn a virtually unusable area behind their scout Hut into a multi- purpose garden featuring an area for camping, specialist play equipment, a barbeque area, a ramp for users with disabilities and a wildlife area.

The new garden for 1st Harmondsworth Scouts

The new garden was officially opened by the Mayor, Cllr Shirley Harper O’Neill on Friday 11th September at 6.30. The opening was also attended by Hillingdon Community Trust representatives, local councillors and most importantly 1st Harmondsworth Scouts. The garden, which was jointly project managed by local environmental charities, the Green Corridor and Groundwork Thames Valley will be a great asset for the scout group according to Scout Leader Janet Woeginger,

“Before, this patch of land was more of a liability than a benefit for the group” she commented.

‘At the outset, we simply envisaged tidying the area up, but what has been achieved is fantastic for the children. They can camp here in the summer, have barbeques and get to appreciate wildlife at close quarters. We are also delighted that the area is open to wheelchair users. It is great to see the scouts having fun in the garden.’

Christine Taylor, Chair of Hillingdon Community Trust’s main grants committee and a local resident added, ‘The Trust is very pleased to have been able to support this ambitious project. It has certainly not been an easy journey, but it is a tribute to Janet and her team running the 1st Harmondsworth Scout Group that they were not easily diverted from their vision, and that is why we are here today. Few Scout Groups are lucky enough to have such a hard working and devoted team and the Trust is delighted to have worked with them on this project alongside Green Corridor and Groundwork Thames Valley to create a top quality area for this group.’