Kent Scouts purchase Lower Grange Farm in Maidstone
Later that month a 50 Explorer and Network Scouts (aged 14-25) gathered to form the first work party. A busy weekend clearing decades of agricultural equipment and hay meant the barn was soon ready to use. At the same time the volunteers were asked to start thinking about what they would like to see the site used for and what they would put where.
This process would continue for 6 months while the Kent Scout membership was surveyed giving everyone whether 6 or 60 year old a chance to input their thoughts into the project.
Suggestions came in from across the County. They included facilities for
events and camping as well as 'gunge pools' and 'mega slides'! Some of
the best ideas came from our young people who included things like flag
poles in their designs (something we had not even considered!).
In October 2009 the first event was held called Scorcher as a celebration for the work carried out clearing the barn.
It became clear that there was a lot of work to be done and in December
2009 the site took on Simon Corrigan as Centre Manager to help setup the
site and welcome guests for camping and events.
Following a work party weekend clearing the loft space Active Support insulated the space over the winter ready for it to be fit out in the new year.
