Mayor speaks at the Opening Ceremony for Barn Cottage
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
On Friday 6th March, the Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, attended the official opening ceremony of Barn Cottage, celebrating an important new space for the local scouting community and Bentswood Hub.
The afternoon began with refreshments served from 4pm in the marquee, giving guests and supporters the opportunity to gather and celebrate the occasion. At 4.15pm, the ceremony officially commenced with a ribbon cutting by Major Tim Peake CMG, Scout Ambassador, marking the formal opening of the building.
Proceedings then moved inside the hall for a series of speeches, compèred by Mark Scholfield, Mid Sussex Scouts District Lead Volunteer. Speakers included Albert Monnery of 5th Haywards Heath Scouts, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, Fr Jonathan How, National Catholic Scout Chaplain, Joe Rogerson, West Sussex Scouts County Lead Volunteer, and finally Major Tim Peake CMG, who spoke about the importance of opportunities for young people and the role of scouting in inspiring future generations.
A highlight of the event was the presence of the young members of 5th Haywards Heath Scouts, who gathered in the hall to meet Major Tim Peake. Members of the Squirrels and Beavers sections proudly received their Space Badges, making the occasion particularly memorable for the young people involved.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, after which guests were invited to take guided tours of the new building in small groups to see the facilities first-hand.
The event was extremely well attended, reflecting the strong support for the scouting community in Haywards Heath and the excitement surrounding this new chapter for the 5th Haywards Heath Scouts and Bentswood Hub.
The new building stands as a testament to the dedication and generosity of the local community, whose fundraising efforts made the project possible. Volunteers, supporters, and families worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed to create this much-needed facility, ensuring that future generations of young people will benefit from a modern and welcoming space for scouting activities.
It was a celebratory afternoon that highlighted the dedication of volunteers, the achievements of young people, and the importance of community spaces that support learning, adventure, and friendship.
