Decade of planning comes to fruition as a Borders Scout Group unveils renovated hall
A Scout Hall more than 10 years in the making has officially reopened after a major programme of improvements and extension, designed to benefit both young people and the wider Lauder community.
Members of Lauderdale Scout Group, together with representatives from local organisations including Lauder in Bloom and the Lauder Historical Society, gathered to celebrate the completion of the project.
The newly-refurbished hall was formally opened by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Kathy Weir, who unveiled a commemorative plaque and cut the ribbon.
Group Lead Volunteer Andy Beaumont said it was fitting for Kathy to officially open the improved facility.
“Mrs Weir has a strong connection to the Scout Group,” he explained. “Two of her sons are previous members of Cubs and Scouts, and Kathy’s late husband, local legend Doddie Weir, was also the Group Chair for a number of years.
“So it was appropriate to invite Kathy to cut the ribbon, unveiled the commemorative plaque, and cut the specially-made cake.”
The project is the culmination of more than a decade of discussions about how the Scout Hall could be improved – not only for the benefit of the group's 170 young people and adult volunteers, but also as a valuable community facility.
Work finally got underway in February after the group, thanks to a combination of fundraising and grant funding.
The extension has provided a much larger commercial-style kitchen, opening up new possibilities for private parties and community events, as well as two new storage areas for Scouts' equipment.
The main hall has also been given a new solid wood gym floor, providing a hard-wearing and versatile space for games, activities and Scout sessions, as well as potential dance and exercise classes.
Elsewhere, the building has received a fresh coat of paint and the leaking flat roofs have been replaced, addressing long-standing maintenance issues and helping secure the future of the hall.
Group chair Helen Matthews is delighted to see the building once again available to the community.
“We are very excited to reopen this community resource,” she said.
“We already have some community groups, like the historical society and the children’s karate club, using the facilities, but we hope other groups and community members will be interested in hiring the facility.”
The improvements have been made possible thanks to funding from a number of sources.
The main building works were supported by grants funded by the UK and Scottish governments and administered by Scottish Borders Council, with decisions made through the Place Partnership Panel, Youth Local Action Group and Local Action Group.
Additional funding was secured from the National Lottery Community Fund, specifically towards the replacement of the hall floor.
The completed project marks an important new chapter for Lauderdale Scout Group, giving its members a modern and practical base, while creating a better-equipped venue for organisations and residents across the community.
The Scout Hall is now available for community and private hire. Find out more at Lauderdale Scouts Hall Booking.