VILLAGERS turned out in force to celebrate the opening of the new ‘awesome’ Shaldon scout hut, which cost more than £100,000.

About 300 took part in the festivities at the upper Ness car park on Saturday, as the 1st Shaldon Sea Scouts finally moved into a home of their own.

Group scout leader Andrew Dorey along with fundraising officer Megan Isaac, planned a ‘fantastic day’ of celebration for the whole group, along with families, friends and supporters.

There were two thick yellow ribbons across the threshold of the new headquarters of the largest scout group in Teignbridge.

One was cut by Cllr Chris Clarance, who thanked Richard and Andrew Dorey and Ben Miles for bringing the group ‘to this great place’.

The second ribbon was cut by Shaldon explorer scout Kaifen Phippen, who won a lottery out of the 118 youngsters of the group, to perform the honour.

Another lucky lottery winner, cub Lauren Gale, had the honour of carrying out the first Flag Break at the new headquarters.

Mr Dorey introduced Teignmouth mayor Cllr Jacqui Orme, who unveiled a beautifully carved wooden plaque detailing all the individuals and companies who had donated time and funds.

Committee chairman Craig Scollick presented Mr Dorey and Ben Miles, two of the leading lights behind the project, with engraved hip flasks along with bottles of their favourite tipple.

After three cheers, games started with all sections manning stalls from a coconut shy to candy floss, a barbecue was manned by the staff of the Ferry Boat Inn; cub leaders helped a line of eager children make catapults and whittle whistles from sticks, and next to the fire pit more children started cooking damper.

‘Now with our own base, we will be able to provide all the benefits of the scouting ethos to the children in a far more efficient manner,’ said a group spokesman.

Cub leader Adrian Whatty, said: ‘This building is awesome. We have planned for assistant cub leaders Mark Read and Richard Vass, to instruct a group of cubs in whittling, lighting fires and cooking damper. My wife, Michelle with assistant cub leader and skills instructor Peter Walsh, will be teaching another group of cubs how to make jam in our outside cooking area, and I will train another group of cubs with the archery equipment, getting them ready for the Teignbridge district archery tournament.

‘This will all happen at the same time, something we would never have achieved elsewhere.’

Mr Miles said he was ‘truly proud to see this facility bursting with life, laughter and excited activity.’

He said:?‘It looks more like a district scout activity centre, than just one single group’s hut – there is so much going on.

‘The whole thing is really impressive, many thanks to Andrew Dorey and the team who put it all together; it is greater than I ever imagined it would be.’

Fundraiser Megan Isaac also arranged a thank-you celebration for the whole group in the evening, which was well attended with entertainment by local band The Horn of Taurus.

Anybody seeking more information about the scout group can contact Mr Dorey at [email protected] or by telephoning 01626 872873.