Haddenham Association of Scouts and Guides Golden Anniversary Party
On Sunday 14th July more than 60 guests attended a wonderful 50th Anniversary Party to celebrate half a century since the opening of the Haddenham Scout and Guide Centre.
During the 1950's and the 1960's, Haddenham Scouts and Cubs met on 4 evenings a week in the Old British Schoolhouse in Churchway. Leaders felt that a permanent building would be much easier, so in 1968 the scouts were offered the wooden structure of the Rivets Social Club in Aylesbury.
Venture Scouts and their Fathers dismantled the building are re-erected it on the Airfield site in August 1970. Sadly it only stood for a few weeks before being totally destroyed by fire in September 1970 – fortunately it was insured! With support from the Parish Council, land was made available on Banks Park, a working group was formed and considerable fundraising efforts were made.
The building was designed by a local architect to be in keeping with the style of the library and then Health Centre (now FitLife) and to reflect the character of the older witchert construction in the village and constructed by a local builder. Proposals for the Haddenham Association of Scouts and Guides were adopted in 1972 and the Executive Committee was formed, led by Chairman Peter Williams and representatives from the village uniformed organisations. The building was opened on 1st December 1973 by the Chief Education Officer.
Fifty years on, volunteers in Scouting and Guiding from the past and present came together to share memories, food and drink and be reunited with other leaders. Guests included the first Chairman of the Haddenham Association of Scouts and Guides Peter Williams and two other members of the original committee, Carol Saetta and Brenda Williams.
The current chairman, Richard Kendall, who has been in the role since 2002 gave an address to share some of the history of the Scout & Guide Association and the Centre. Richard thanked everyone present for their contribution to Haddenham Scouting and Guiding. He also thanked current Scout and Guide Association Committee members (Julie, Francesca, Helen, Richard, Andy, Diane, Trisha plus partners and families) who organised the event, helped on the day or contributed in other ways.
Toasts were made to the building, the Association and to 'absent friends' ie those volunteers who were unable to attend or who are sadly no longer with us. A fabulous celebration cake made by former Guider Trisha Young was cut jointly by Peter and Richard – the first and the current Chairmen – and shared with all the guests.
Sunday's Anniversary party ended with a 'surprise' campfire led by Francesca Flaxton and Louisa Quinn held outside the Scout and Guide Centre, which was much enjoyed by all. One former Haddenham Scout leader said: "It's probably been over 50 years since I last sat around a campfire, it brought back happy memories".
Another guest said afterwards "I had a wonderful time and thought the food, campfire drinks and conversation were fabulous. Thank you to all the helpers and leaders for organising such a lovely event".
There are lots more photographs to enjoy in the Galleries section of this website, courtesy of the various guests and attendees.
Francesca Flaxton
On behalf of the Haddenham Association of Scouts and Guides
