Hampshire Scout Heritage are once again taking part in Heritage Open Days, meaning the public can visit the Heritage Centre at Ferny Crofts on this usually private site.
Once there, they can discover the origins and activities of the Scout movement in Hampshire (and beyond) through the years. Inside they have a range of artifacts and items from the past 110+ years to spark the imagination.
The Hampshire Scout Heritage Centre is located at Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7YQ. For those who prefer their navigation more pinpointed, that's OS Grid Reference: SU3650 0619 or What3Words ///worth.flood.extra.
They are open for Heritage Open Days between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 7th and 14th and Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th September. Their volunteers are running tours of the centre hourly, on the hour, with 10 in each tour.
Book your place online to avoid disappointment.
For over 110 years, the Scouts have been teaching young people skills for life and getting into the outdoors. In that time we've moved with the times (we are a movement after all) but our spirit has remained constant.
The Hampshire Scouts Heritage Team help tell our story, look after our collection and collect the stories of Scouts today for the future.
They got their start in 2007 as the whole movement was celebrating the Centenary of Scouting, capturing the imagination of Scouts everywhere and the wider public. Members wanted to know more about our history. Artefacts started seeing the light of day after being hidden in attics and garages for many years. The Heritage Team took all of this energy and interest and used it to build our Heritage Collection.
They've now got a collection of over 3,000 objects and it continues to grow. In 2019 the team gained a permanent home for the first time at Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre having spent many years moving from city centre offices to spare space. With a space of our own to hold events, the future is bright for the Heritage Team.
The team are always looking for people to help us tell the stories - if you think that's you then find out about volunteering with us. Or if you can add to our collection, find out about donating.
Discover more about Hampshire Scout Heritage, and some of the stories of Scouting, on their website.
Test: Steven Osborn and Hampshire Scout Heritage. Images: Dave Jenkins.
