Where are NDSS Original Scouts Now?
Our Scout House
By
Mr. Lynley Lutchmedial
After twenty six years of "using and sharing" the 1st. Presentation Scout House, we finally found a suitable place to call our scout house
For the records, the move was not voluntary. The group was actually "thrown out" in March 1987 and was in a state of shock even though we had many warning notices from our landlord. Our meeting point now was under the 'big tree' by Pres Boat shed, and our equipment had to be stored at the homes of the leaders. This new venue had to be shared between the Cubs, the Scouts, the Venture Scouts and the members of the bathing public, so that the scouts preferred to use the fire gutted building opposite WASA. Whenever the rain fell, we had many problems, as conditions on the wharf could not offer any better, but despite those conditions the group became stronger and overcame all obstacles.
There had always been a plan "B" that was discussed by the leaders a few years before, which was to relocate between Presentation Scout House and 3rd Trinidad (Boodram's Den) known to many as Miller's dockyard on Lady Hailes Avenue. The place was abandoned for the past fifteen years and the area was a dump, old pipes, garbage of all sorts, old equipment, lots of bushes and an old dilapidated structure, which became a toilet are for vagrants. The advantage was that the area was fenced by a brick wall, most of the yard was paved with concrete (hidden away by dirt) and it was the best possible site a Sea Scout group can ask for.
As Group Scout Leader, a decision had to be taken - What was the next step to occupy the land? With great support from my leaders, Anthony Spears, David Louison, Gregory Elcock, Elliot Stephens, Leon John, Ricky Griffith, Lescott Alexander, Susan Singh, Clunis Gittens, and Ronnie Mohammed. The decision was to start occupation as early as possible. The group was extremely lucky to have Ms. Dianne Seukeran as Chairperson of the San Fernando District Scout Council, who got permission from the PTSC (owners) to use the premises.
In September 1988, the Venture Scouts who stood equally in support with the leaders had the honor of breaking ground to start the building of our scout house. The ones that stood out among many were Dave Byer, Orvid Reeves, Terrance Charles, Ainsworth Ahee, Martin Michell, Andre Joseph, David Williams, Sean Headley, and some of the bigger scouts. Our active parents committee lent a big hand in organizing financial assistance and labor.
The first task was to clear and clean. The assistance of a Tractor from WASA, a back hoe and a dump truck from the San Fernando City Corporation made things easier as they removed most of the heavy debris. Another hurdle that stood in our proposed entrance was an old Tractor, but with the help of Phillip Lewis (past scout) he had it wrecked and removed. The scouts in great numbers did the final clean up by washing the area with sea water. The City Corporation had the site sprayed and we were ready to move in
I would like to mention some of those scouts who not only worked on Saturdays and Sundays but during the week to complete the site. They are - the faithful's Vergil Belgrove, Andy Mathison, Edson Landeau, Kevin Small, Anslem Spears, Jason Thorne, Kevin Braithwaite, Jerome Parris, Ricardo Hospedales, Allan and Arte Cupid. Marlon Callender, Chris Joseph, Elvis Byer, Richard Ferdinand, Davey Harper, Kurt Bailey, Hayden Demming and Brian Taylor. The Ventures whose names are mentioned above worked tirelessly with only short breaks for doubles and soft drinks.
Our aim was to finish the building in three months for our Christmas Prize Giving Function.
Continue to read about Phases I & II Construction of our Scout House
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