LOCAL Scouts celebrated the official opening of their new home on Friday (May 1).

Hill Mountain 1st Johnston Scout Group and Community Hall was officially opened on Friday by UK Chief Commissioner for The Scout Association Mr Wayne Bulpitt.

Members of the Scout group, along with invited guests and representatives from county and community councils, Church in Wales, Methodist Church, and local and Welsh Scouting, enjoyed a fantastic evening where the Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts took part in activities ranging from computer coding to bush crafts.

The hall is in memory of the late Harry Dixon (Skip/Rikki), Scout leader for 28 years, who died in 2013.

As his wife, 1st Johnston’s Group Scout Leader Pat Dixon explained, the new hall is a fitting tribute to the man who gave so much to the Group and to Scouting across Pembrokeshire as Deputy Area Commissioner.

“The Group hasn’t had a permanent home for the last 6 years, so when the opportunity came along to purchase the Methodist chapel it seemed like his dream come true, not just for our Group, but also to develop something of real value within the community," said Mrs Dixon.

"I know Harry would have been so excited about our new hall! It was his wish that our Group would have its own home, to give it a much needed stability; and for the last few years of his life he worked towards this.”

On opening the hall, UK Chief Commissioner for The Scout Association Mr Wayne Bulpitt said: “It’s such a pleasure to open the fantastic facilities at Hill Mountain and to see first-hand why 1st Johnston Group is such a successful Scout Group and will now be able to provide even more life changing opportunities to young people.”

Group fundraising activities will continue after the opening to enable further work to be carried out, including improving the kitchen area.

On June 19, they will be holding a Gardener’s Question Time and Plant Sale, and many other events throughout the year, which everyone is welcome come along to.

The Hall will be available to hire from October 2015.