A PARTY to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Bramford Guide and Scout headquarters will take place next month.Organisers are appealing for people who were involved in refurbishing the Old School Building in Ship Lane, Bramford, and members of the headquarters fundraising committee to attend the event on April 12.

A PARTY to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Bramford Guide and Scout headquarters will take place next month.

Organisers are appealing for people who were involved in refurbishing the Old School Building in Ship Lane, Bramford, and members of the headquarters fundraising committee to attend the event on April 12.

The Old School building, which dates back to 1860, opened as the new headquarters on March 26 1983 after an extensive refurbishment project.

Work started in 1981 by a hard-working team of volunteer parents and friends led by builder Eric Wolton and group scoutmaster Don Golding. They were helped by the former Manpower Services Commission.

Bill Pulfer, the first scoutmaster, and Janet Edmondson (Janet Read), the Bramford district commissioner performed the opening ceremony.

The building opened just as the Gipping Valley Venture Scouts – now the Gipping Valley Explorer Scout unit – was forming. Past members or leaders of the unit are also invited to attend.

Those who can come to the party, or have details of those who have moved away, contact Don Golding on 01473 – 747596 preferably before March 24.

Organisers are also appealing for people who have old photographs of the headquarters, pictures from the last 20 years and any other memorabilia to contact the above telephone number.

The building is used by 150 youngsters each week – rainbows, brownies, guides, beavers, cubs, scouts, explorer scouts and the venture scouts, who are also celebrating their 20th anniversary this month in their own room in the headquarters.

The headquarters is occasionally used by other guide and scout groups for events such as district meetings and selection days.