Building work restarts on Warwick sea scouts' new HQ after fire

Building work has now restarted at the new headquarters for a sea scouts group in Warwick after the previous structure was damaged by a fire.

The 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts had started building their new site next to St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre in Warwick in November 2019, with the ground having been cleared, the foundations put in place and the steel structure put in place.

The roof and one wall had just been completed when there was an arson attack on site on February 29.

Since the fire, work on site was put on hold while the police investigation was concluded and their insurance claim was processed.

Getting the building work back underway was also delayed due to coronavirus restrictions but work began to clear the site in July.

The fire was so intense that it had warped the steel structure and damaged the roof and walls, with the flames also causing damage to the leisure centre next door (which has now been fully repaired).

The roof, wall and about a quarter of the steel structure needed to be replaced but the entire steel frame had to be taken off site to be cleaned and repainted.

Over the last few weeks the replacement structure has been placed on site, with the roof panels being craned into place last week.

By the end of September they plan to have restored the building to the state it was in before the fire.

In the meantime the group have been working hard to raise the final funds to complete the building of the shell by December 2020 but still have a gap of £20,000 to find.

Their fundraising has also been restricted due to the pandemic, making fundraising more challenging.

However, they had a successful ‘virtual cream tea’ during lockdown which raised nearly £2,000.

Once the watertight shell is complete they will need more funds to fit out the new site so that they can open their doors in April 2021 to their youngsters and the community.

They have a large grant application currently under consideration that could fully fund the fit out, and are hoping they will soon have some good news to report on fully funding the entire project.

Janette Eslick, fundraiser at the 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts, said: "It is a really difficult time for fundraising, and we appreciate that there are now other priorities for funding and support in the local community.

"However, we are doing all we can to find trusts that will support our project, and are also hoping that there may be individuals and companies out there who can still help us reach our final target. "

The group worked hard during lockdown to keep youngsters engaged online; at a time when they would normally be gearing up to get outdoors and on the water and prepare for their two-week summer camp.

There were lots of activities happening via Zoom, a group 'camp at home' and badge work going on at home too.

They were disappointed to have their annual two week summer camp cancelled this year, but as soon as face-to-face scouting was allowed again they ran two weeks of Covid-19 safe adventures for more than 50 Scouts.

Marc Gadsby, group scout leader, said: "Warwick Camp 2020 was a huge success with a rota of small group activities planned over the fortnight; with Scouts and leaders having great fun both on and off the water.

"The youngsters had paddlesports sessions and went on an exciting river trip: encountering weirs, slides and a rope swing.

"They were out sailing at Draycote Water; took on the challenge of a local hike; got competitive at Frisby golf and even completed a 40km bike ride too.

"These activities were the first activities most of the youngsters had done since lockdown with friends, and provided a huge positive experience for them all - some stability, routine, normality and most of all fun."

If you can help 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts with the final funds they need or donate any goods to help them fit out their new HQ email :[email protected] or visit

www.2wk.org.uk or www.facebook.com/2wkseascouts