The Future of Walton Firs

As you may be aware, the future of Walton Firs Campsite has been the subject of much speculation over the past 18 months. We are pleased to announce that arrangements are now in place to secure the site’s future as a place for Scouts and Guides.

Initially, Surrey County Scout Council will enter into a two year lease with The Scout Association to manage Walton Firs until 31 December 2007. The site will continue to be managed by Dave and Sue MacIntosh, who have been running the site for the past sixteen years.

Meanwhile a new organisation called “The Walton Firs Foundation” will be launched. The Walton Firs Foundation will be a company limited by guarantee, and will buy Walton Firs from the Scout Association. It will then hold, improve and maintain the campsite.

To ensure that the Foundation can buy the site, there will need to be substantial fundraising activity between now and the end of 2007 as a total of £800,000 needs to be raised to buy Walton Firs. Once acquired the site will continue to be leased to Surrey County Scout Council and it is anticipated that the site will continue to be profitable as it has been in recent years.

To make all this happen, we need lots of support and as Richard Shortman (Surrey Scout Country Commissioner) says “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire an excellent camp site. We must ensure that we do not let this opportunity slip so that generations of young people can continue to enjoy the pleasures of Walton Firs.”

So how can you help Walton Firs?

Continue to plan your camps and activities at the site.
Tell as many people as you can that the Walton Firs Foundation has been launched and that £800,000 needs to be raised. If you need more information to do this please contact Alison Cox, PR Manager, Walton Firs Foundation e-mail waltonfirs@alisoncox.co.uk
Make a personal donation by sending a cheque made payable to “Walton Firs” to Walton Firs Foundation c/o Rob Woolford at Hillbrow House, Hillbrow Road, Esher KT10 9NW. Please ensure you include your name, address.
Organise a fundraising event and send the proceeds to the above address
Join the committees setting up the charity and its larger fundraising events.

The team establishing the Walton Firs Foundation would really appreciate your assistance in making sure that current and future generations of young people can continue to enjoy one of the country’s best loved campsites.

http://www.waltonfirsscoutcamp.co.uk