© 2006-
AMBERLEY SCOUT GROUP
"Skip" Coombs gradually found himself running both Scouts and Cubs fund-raising with little help. At a meeting urgently called in the spring of 1964, parents were told that the electricity supply had been cut off due to non-payment of an over-due account and that a summons had been issued by the RDC for recovery of water rates unpaid over the previous 18 months. All eyes fell on the battered money box that stood in isolation on the green baize covered table from which "Skip" Coombs was delivering his catalogue of problems. Dramatically he shook it and with considerable dexterity and with the aid of his sheath knife, the total of the Group's liquidity was extracted to reveal a princelysum of 5s. 7½d!!
He had made his point and from that time a new Executive Committee operating in accordance with national rules was set up with an active Supporters or Fund Raising section.
"Skip" Coombs retired in 1966 and was made Honorary Group Scout Master for his dedicated service. He was succeeded by Tony "Digger" Wakefield, an experienced Scouter whose wife Ruby was an enthusiastic fund raiser.
He had made his point and from that time a new Executive Committee operating in accordance with national rules was set up with an active Supporters or Fund Raising section.
"Skip" Coombs retired in 1966 and was made Honorary Group Scout Master for his dedicated service. He was succeeded by Tony "Digger" Wakefield, an experienced Scouter whose wife Ruby was an enthusiastic fund raiser.
In 1968, we were joined by the Forest Green Scout Group following the District Commissioner's policy of creating stronger units. The combined Group grew steadily over the following years and the pressing need to construct a new and improved HQ facility became the new challenge.
Plans for a new HQ building to replace the old World War I hutments were drawn up and approved, permission from the National Trust was obtained and work, mostly self help, began in 1973 parallel with a fund raising programme to generate the £7500 estimated cost.
A frenzy of fund raising marked the next few years: Dog Shows and Fashion Shows, Xmas Fayres, Safari Suppers, Lotteries and Rumage Sales. It was early in this period that "Digger" promoted the Group's first Auction Sale which was to become a bi-annual event and principal source of funds.
Demolition of the old huts and site clearance began in 1973. A contractor was engaged to construct the foundations and base of the new building which was then completed mostly by self-help for an official opening by Michael Cadbury in July 1976. (Mr. Michael Cadbury was a Scout HQ Executive Commissioner and a member of the Bourneville family).
Plans for a new HQ building to replace the old World War I hutments were drawn up and approved, permission from the National Trust was obtained and work, mostly self help, began in 1973 parallel with a fund raising programme to generate the £7500 estimated cost.
A frenzy of fund raising marked the next few years: Dog Shows and Fashion Shows, Xmas Fayres, Safari Suppers, Lotteries and Rumage Sales. It was early in this period that "Digger" promoted the Group's first Auction Sale which was to become a bi-
Demolition of the old huts and site clearance began in 1973. A contractor was engaged to construct the foundations and base of the new building which was then completed mostly by self-
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