Essex Freemasons have donated £5,000 to the Scout Movement to refurbish washrooms – used by more than 2,500 visitors every year - at their Cherrywood campsite near Purfleet. This is the latest project to be completed by the Scouts using money from a larger £163,000 grant given in 2017 to celebrate 300 years of Freemasonry.

The washrooms complete with new showers, sinks, urinals and conventional toilets, for use by all visitors including the disabled, ensure that the campsite can deliver the most up to date facilities for scouts and the many other groups that use the campsite.

Paul Reeves, Deputy Provincial Grand Master in charge of Essex Freemasons, commented: ”Many Freemason’s used to be scouts and there are a large number of similarities between the two organisations, which is why we wanted to support a movement that does so much good for young people.”

“The scouts have clearly delivered a remarkable achievement by refurbishing the washrooms and making them fit for purpose for the modern age and we are pleased that we have been able to provide the funding needed to help make it happen.”

The bulk of £163,000 grant was used to help build an aerial runway at Skreens Park near Chelmsford. Another £5,000 was used to build a rock climbing facility in Basildon. Other projects are due to open soon.

“There has obviously been some delay in opening up new facilities such as the one in Purfleet due to Covid-19,” said Bill Marshall, the Scouts County Grants Secretary, “but we are now ready to cope with thousands of new visitors just as soon as things return to normal.”

The Cherrywood campsite offers scouts a wide range of camping and outdoor activities including archery and kayaking.