A "thermometer" has been installed at the old scout hut site to show the fundraising status

The soil testing has indicated that the ground has the potential to shrink and swell with changes in moisture content caused by the action of tree roots. As we will be removing several trees close to the proposed location of the new building, there is a risk that the ground will swell and affect the foundations. With the assistance of a local builder, we are taking some further soil samples for testing. At the same time we have dug two pits for soakaway tests (soakaways are the preferred means of disposing of rainwater to avoid increasing the risk of flooding).

A Building Regulations application has been sent to Mole Valley Buiding Control Department in respect of the external stores buildings. Although these are only formed from precast concrete garages, their size is such that they require approval. We are seeking prices from several builders for the construction of these foundations.

The sale of the old site has gone through. 35% of the proceeds is now in the appeal fund, boosting it by £144,000. We now have nearly £250,000, more than 80% of the target amount. Work on the design of the new building will now proceed as quickly as possible.

Signs of activity on site! We are sinking several boreholes to test the soil. As the site is on London Clay it is potentially susceptible to movement due to the action of tree roots. A knowledge of the properties of the clay will allow us to design suitable foundations.

Contracts have been exchanged on the sale of the existing site; completion is due for 7th January 2008. The design of the building is entering its final phase with construction due to start as soon as a suitable contractor has been identified and the remaining funding has been secured.

Planning permission for the new scheme has been granted by Mole Valley District Council

A new planning application has been submitted to Mole Valley District Council for the revised scheme. The number of the application is MO/2007/1159 and details can be seen by clicking on the following link:- Go to Mole Valley Planning website

7th July 2007

Bookham Scouting Centre can now be seen on Google Earth - click on the image below, this will take you to Google 3d warehouse, then click on the button to load the Scouting Centre into Google Earth (you will need to have Google Earth installed on your computer).


June 2007

Final appeal launched to raise the last £43,000 required to enable us to build the new building.


23rd May 2007

An offer has been accepted by our landlord for the sale of the exisitng site. In return for surrendering the remaining term of our lease, we will be receiving 35% of the net proceeds.


23rd March 2007

The existing site was put onto the market though Patrick Gardner.


24th December 2006

We have been awarded a grant of £24,000 by Mole Valley District Council.


November 2006

Meeting held to discuss the proposed sale of the existing site by our landlord. In return for surrendering our lease early, it has been agreed we will receive 35% of the net proceeds of the sale. This will provide a valuable boost to funds and will help make the new Scouting Centre a reality.


March 2006

Appeal fund has reached nearly £60,000.


14th July 2003

Full Planning Permission granted by Mole Valley District Council.


1st April 2003

Application for full planning permission submitted to Mole Valley District Council.


3rd February 2003

Following the launch of the appeal and the distribution of the leaflets throughout the village we have been very encouraged by the generous donations and offers of help we have received. By December the fund stood at £32,000 - just over 10% towards our target of £300,000.

We are constantly looking for new ideas, companies or trusts to approach, which would be willing to assist to make the project a reality. The Appeals Committee is now busy making applications to a number of organisations. We also have other fund-raising ideas for 2003 so if anyone knows a celebrity who would do a "one person show" in aid of the appeal please contact the undersigned.

The foreign currency collecting tins at the Post Office is still available so please remember to re-cycle those unwanted notes and coins. We can continue to exchange all those old European currencies; France, Germany, Spain, Greece, Belgium, Holland, Austria etc as well as other currencies from across the world, to cash.