Freemasons' generous rescue gift

The leaders of the troop were overwhelmed by the 11,500 donation which enabled the vessel to be bought.

None of them had seen such generosity by individuals towards the scouts.

The money was raised within a year by members of the Felpham Lodge of Freemasons.

In addition, the masons who went along to the presentation ceremony at the scouts' Vicarage Lane headquarters handed over another 500 which was raised by them in a single evening.

The presentation saw the worshipful master of the Felpham Lodge, Steve Campbell, given the honour of naming the boat Artificer.

This is the title given to a highly-skilled tradesperson both in the navy and the freemasons.

He was also given a model of the boat made by the sea scouts.

The undertaking to help them was made last year by a parent of two of the scouts, local electrician Steve Grubb.

The old safety boat had a worn-out engine by the end of the sailing season.

A ceremony to celebrate several personal achievements ended the special evening of the handover.

Bognor Regis district scouting commissioner Vicky Hennessy presented chief scout awards to explorer scouts Kerry Lewis and Tom Holland. She handed young leaders awards to Oliver Lewis and Matthew Farrant.

Felpham troop leader Tim Holland was also presented with his wood badge to mark the completion of several years' training.

The Freemasons' backing for the sea scouts is on top of the significant donations received by them from Felpham Parish Council and the Royal Navy this year.

Arun-Nautique and Hop2Sailing have also helped keep the Sea Scouts' fleet sailing.

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