CUBS, Scouts and Beavers opened the doors to show off their new base after a major refurbishment.

Tea and cake were dished out to about 30 people – including young people, Bicester’s MP Sir Tony Baldry and DHL staff – to mark the end of a year-long project.

Thanks to a £15,000 grant from the DHL UK Foundation and staff at the firm’s Bicester depot, the Scouting base has had a complete revamp.

The building has been re-painted inside and out, has a new fence, patio for storing boats, new boiler, windows and doors, and tables and chairs.

Oxford Mail:

  • Jill Edwards

Group Scout leader Jill Edwards “It was brilliant – it is a new home.

“We have obviously had to fund raise to replace things and do things over the years.

“However, we would never have been able to do all that in a year.”

The 1st Bicester Intrepid Scout group has about 100 Beavers, Cubs, and Sea Scouts, who meet throughout the week at its Ashdene Road, Bicester, headquarters.

The group was also given a surprise cheque for an extra £6,676 that had been raised by staff at the depot from raffles and challenges including the Three Peaks walk. The grant was part of DHL’s £200,000 scheme called Transform It! which provides grants to improve community facilities.

DHL’s Lynn Simpson said: “Transform It! has really lived up to its name.

“By bringing the community together, working with parents and children it means that 100 local children can attend a safe secure meeting place and have fun and learn lifelong skills.”