Former scout and World War Two veteran 90 year old Bert Webber from Pentwyn, has lent his support to help save the 2nd Llandaff Scouts from losing their meeting hall.
Mr Webber, who was a 2nd Llandaff scout himself, says the group has been running since the 1920s and he doesn’t want to see it come to an end. The United Reform Church who owns the land where they meet, put the site up for sale for £250,000 last year, and the group has been fundraising to buy it.
Simon Braybrook, Scout Group Leader says “We have been on this site for over 40 years and are trying to buy both the land and the church. We have had an offer accepted but still have more than £75,000 to raise.
“We have received £150,000 in very generous donations including some large pledges from the Moondance and Shanley Foundations.”
Mr Braybrook recently discovered Mr Webber was the oldest living Llandaff scout and invited him to come and talk to the group. Mr Webber spoke about his time in the scouts. He said they spent most weekends camping and hiking during the summer.
He also talked about his experiences during the war. He said “During the air raid on January 2nd 1941, All Saints Church burnt down and the Cathedral roof was blown off. The Germans dropped incendiary bombs everywhere and people were poking the fire bombs off their roofs.
Mr Webber joined the scouts in 1934, when he was 8 years old. He left when war broke out in 1939 and joined the Fire Service, going into the Army when he was 20. He was upset to think the scout group might come to an end.
At the end of his talk he said ” Make memories. Remember this time as its so important.”
2nd Llandaff Scouts are hopeful they will raise the money. They are still organising quiz nights, curry evenings and jumble sales.
