A DREAM more than 20 years old has come into being at Cheriton Bishop with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The dream was the new meeting hall for Tedburn and Cheriton Scouts at Crofters Mead, Cheriton Bishop.

The two and a half acres of land was bought by the then chairman of Tedburn and Cheriton Scout Group’s executive committee chairman, Trevor Dean.

Parents and Leaders put in loans to pay for the land which have since been turned either into loans or grants.

At the opening ceremony Tedburn and Cheriton Group Scout Leader, Roger Wickham, said the store room had been built in 1998. About five years later the toilets were built and water brought into the site, necessary because the Group had begun taking girls as Scouts and Cubs.

This had been done with a £5,000 National Lottery grant. The new building was finished with a £10,000 National Lottery grant plus money raised by parents and leaders over a good many years.

Mr Wickham said there had been a very generous donation of a huge amount of materials for the new building by Lawrence Threscher of Cladco Limited of Okehampton.

Other people stood out in the whole saga such as John Milverton, chairman of the Group’s executive committee who had helped to raise a lot of money to level the site, cut out the camping field and pathways.

Mr Wickham said that without Mr Milverton’s drive and determination he doubted whether the new building would have happened now.

He added that other people had been "outstanding" with their help, including the donation of a marquee which became the main meeting space through the summer for 10 or so years.

A parent had donated venison burgers and sausages for the barbecue that followed the opening ceremony. Also Tesco had donated baps. The community champion, Andrew Drayton, stayed to help.

Cheriton and Tedburn Cub Alice Smith, was given the honour of cutting the ribbon across the big double doors to the new building.

It means that the Cubs and Scouts have a permanent home in which to meet. Until now the Cubs had met at Tedburn St Mary Village Hall, the Scouts at Cheriton Bishop Village Hall.

In the summer they would meet at Crofters Mead, more latterly able to use the marquee.

Now all meetings can be held at Crofters Mead. However, fundraising still continues to complete fitting out.

At the Mid Devon District Scout Council annual meeting that preceded the opening, Elinor d’Albiac, District Cub Scout Leader, was presented with a 40 years’ service award by District Commissioner, Trevor Waycott of Bow.

John White received a badge and certificate to mark 20 years’ service. He began in Scouting at Sandford in 1996 as Assistant Leader, taking over as Leader two years later when Margaret Cornish moved away.

He became Assistant District Commissioner Cubs 12 years ago. He now lives in Beaworthy having sold the farm in Sandford last year.

Karen Morris of Dunsford has taken over as ADC Cubs. Her husband, Philip (Tigger) has recently taken over as Mid Devon District Explorer Scout Commissioner.

Receiving his Leaders belt and buckle was Howie Squires who has been a member of Tedburn and Cheriton for nine years, having come through from Cubs.

Elinor began her life with Scouting in Chagford when her brother was a Cub. Only one person was running the pack, so she went to help - and became a Leader.

In 1979 she spent six months in Australia as a Leader. Back home she returned to the Cubs, becoming District Cub Leader in 1994.

Sue Read