New home for West Wilts Scouts at West Ashton

The 800-strong group was told to leave its old site at Roundwood in March, and a subsequent attempt to buy the woodland from the owners fell through.

However, more than £140,000 had already been raised towards buying the alternative field, next to Biss Wood on the A350, from Trowbridge farmer Chris Awdry.

The Scouts will not be able to occupy the new site, named the Jubilee Wood Scout Camp and Youth Activity Centre, until later this summer, when the crops are harvested.

District chairman John Cox said: “We are very grateful to Mr and Mrs Awdry for selling us this land.

“Most of the field will be planted as a new wood to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, and it will be one of those listed in a book to be presented to the Queen.

“The Woodland Trust has very kindly agreed to help us plan, plant and maintain it.

“We have also been allowed to use nearby Green Lane Woods and are hoping for a mutually beneficial relationship with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, who now own it.”

As well as planting a variety of native broadleaved trees, the Scouts plan to encourage nightingales to the area by creating a suitable nesting environment.

Older Scouts will take part in active conservation programmes.

The site will also be made available to other youth groups such as Brownies and Guides, and to local schools.

Donations included £40,000 from Wiltshire Council via Trowbridge Area Board, £1,000 each from Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon town councils, and £500 each from Westbury Council and Wessex Water.

Other money was provided by charities and a large number of individual donations.

Mr Cox said a further £29,000 was needed to help develop the field, and called for donations of building materials and equipment.

He is also inviting donors to sponsor trees for the site at £15 per tree. A £50 donation will pay for a larger, named tree in a commemorative avenue.

To donate, contact Mr Cox on 01225 864270 or at jandbcox@hotmail.com.