The Norfolk Lodge is the new main accommodation unit at the Tolmer’s Scout Activity Centre in Cuffley, to which the Mark Master Masons of the Province of Hertfordshire donated the sum of £10,000 in April 2013.
Facilities include:
- Sleeps 60 on bunk beds in 11 bedrooms
- Large dining hall
- Integral toilets and showers
- Disabled (or Leaders’) toilets / showers
- Central heating
- Seating and tables for 60
- Catering gas cooker with 6 rings and oven
- Microwave and toasters
- Lincat boiler for continuous boiling water
- Catering sized fridge and freezer
- Range of pots, pans and utensils
- China plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery
- Fire alarm system – regularly tested
- Gas and electricity included in price
The donation has allowed the site’s widespread complexes to be connected in a “ring main” of power, lighting, gas, water, drainage, sewage outlets and even an Internet access to each complex.
The Warden and staff have used the donation very wisely and because they have dug the necessary trenches and laid everything at the same time, it saved money that was spent refurbishing the lodge, which will become operational on 1st of March 2012. The naming of the building is scheduled for early April and our donation will be acknowledged by the strategic placing of a plaque and an invitation to the naming ceremony.
Plaque Unveiling
Tolmers Scout Activity Centre Warden, Chris Rainbow, along with the County Commissioner, Rikki Harrington, greeted the Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro Chris Radmore and his wife Brenda and other members of the Executive on Saturday 31st of March at their centre in Cuffley, for a plaque unveiling ceremony in acknowledgement of the £10,000 donation made in July 2013. Other sponsors were also present and were thanked for their donations.
Astonishing facts emerged also of how successful the “Norfolk Lodge” had become in such a short period of time since its completion.
The first booking was for the 3rd of February and so far 5 groups have enjoyed a weekend stay there. Currently the centre has only 7 weekends left available to book the Norfolk Lodge this year, out of a possible 47 weeks available to hire. 5 bookings have already been taken for 2013.
These are some of the views of the Lodge and dignitaries.
Picture shows from left to right: Chris Rainbow Tolmers Scouts Activity Centre Warden; Rikki Harrington
Hertfordshire County Scouts Commissioner; R.W. Bro Chris Radmore PGM.
Picture shows from left to right W.Bro Colin Hellyer Assistant PGM; W. Bro Richard Walker Deputy The Commemorative Plaque
PGM; Roger Sands Life President of Hertfordshire Scouts; R.W. Bro Chris Radmore PGM.
Update October 2013
Since reporting to the Hertfordshire Mark Masons AGM in July, we are pleased to report increased usage of the Mark Masons Training Centre.
The Centre has been trialed by Hertfordshire St John Ambulance for training purposes, with another booking made for September 2014.
London Ambulance Service is a new customer, also now using the Centre regularly for training, with future bookings now extending well into 2014.
12th Hackney Scouts is another new customer.
Schools, which have not yet used the Centre, are now being targeted, as the Centre has computer facilities. It will be used for theory based learning, together with the many practical outdoor activities available on site. This will be useful for the disaffected groups, which already use Tolmers with young people who have behavioural issues. They find IT and classroom learning difficult. combined with outdoor activities; attention spans improve when inside the Centre.
With regard to Norfolk Lodge, we are pleased to report a continuing popularity, with residential bookings throughout May, June and July 2014. Weekend bookings have just 4 weekends available before August 2014.
In short, the message is one of sustained success for Norfolk Lodge, and increasing usage and growing success for the Mark Masons Training Centre.