Sir Jimmy Savile has ‘fixed it’ for an Otley Scout group by launching their £160,000 headquarters improvement scheme.
The celebrity entertained a crowd of about 100 people as he raised a Scout flag to unveil the foundation stone for the extension being added to 2nd Otley Scout Group’s base.
The present building in Craven Street, which has been home to the group since 1976, is more than 100 years old and showing its age with sub-standard kitchen facilities and outdoor toilets.
So the Scouts drew up a modernisation plan and helped – assisted by several grants – to raise £135,000 to pay for it, with another £25,000 still needed to cover all the costs.
Then they invited Sir Jimmy, a regular visitor to Otley where he supports the sailing club and buys cigars, to declare the project officially underway.
Scout group secretary Peter Young said: “Sir Jimmy also buried a time capsule which may remain undiscovered for many years. Photographs and memorabilia of the present day were included, to give a future generation an idea of life in Otley in 2011.
“And he was invested as an Honorary Member of 2nd Otley Scout Group by Trevor Oates, Group Scout Leader, which is another accolade to add to the many he has received in his career.
“This is a substantial extension that is under way which will give the group much needed extra space for its Scouting activities.
“The building will be renamed the Chevin Community Centre and will offer facilities that will be available for other local organisations.”
The ceremony was attended by Scouts, Beavers and Cubs and their families along with representatives from the organisations who are providing financial support. They include Biffaward, Green Leeds Limited, Caird Bardon Limited, GrantScape, Garfield Weston Foundation, Otley Rotary Club, Otley Chevin Rotary Club, Harewood Lodge of Freemasons and Ilkley Round Table.
To help raise the outstanding £25,000 the group has also started a Buy a Brick scheme - to find out more about this or other ways of supporting the Chevin Community Centre contact Ian Morgan on (01943) 463391.
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