From Ashes to New Beginnings: The 4th Fife Cardenden Scout Group Story
The 4th Fife Cardenden Scout Group has rebuilt their 50 year old hall after it was destroyed in a fire.
In February 2019, the 4th Fife Cardenden Scout Group faced a serious setback when their 50-year-old hall was set on fire by unknown intruders. The fire destroyed the rear of the building as well as £16,000 worth of camping equipment that had been stored inside. Just four months before the fire, the Scout Group had spent £30,000 upgrading the hall. While they managed to claim £170,000 back on insurance, unfortunately rebuilding costs would exceed this amount. The 45 young members, aged 6 to 14, also needed to find alternative meeting spaces in the meantime.
Rising from the Ashes
Rather than simply rebuild on the same site, the Scout Group decided to construct a new hall in a different location. Fife Council offered the group a site with better access and proper car parking, which its previous roadside location had lacked. The new hall would cost £190,000 to build, creating a funding gap of £29,000 after insurance. The Scout Group began fundraising and applying for grants to cover the shortfall.
Community Spirit in Action
The Scout Group organised various fundraising activities over several years. Local events including sponsored abseils, curry nights, coffee mornings, ceilidhs and Christmas sing-alongs raised nearly £20,000. While construction was underway, the Bowhill Centre and Auchterderran Church supported the Scouts with a temporary venue, allowing the Scouts to continue their activities.
Fund Support
To begin with, the group applied for grants from different organisations including the Nadara Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund for Cardenden, which awarded £1,000 to contribute towards the new building costs. The Fund supports projects benefiting residents of the Cardenden Community Council area and is overseen by a panel of residents and community councillors. In 2024 the group approached the fund once again seeking support for funding to help with the completion of the new Scout Hall building. The panel agreed and funded the requested amount of just over £1,100 to support finalising the project.
A Better Future
Six years after the fire, the new hall was opened in May 2025 by Margaret, the landowner's mother, who has substantial links to the Scout Group and the local community. She was born on the same day the Scout group started in 1924, so it was quite fitting for Margaret to celebrate her 101st birthday on the same day the new Scout Hall opened. The new hall includes a modern kitchen, accessible toilet facilities, a sports floor, solar panels for energy efficiency and has 14 dedicated parking spaces
The facility serves not just the Scouts but the whole community, and is available for hire by other community groups, helping to generate income for running costs.
The Impact Today
The Scout Group now has 45 active members with a waiting list for Cubs. It continues to run the community minibus, support local schools and volunteer at village events. Operating under a 25-year lease, the new hall provides the Scout Group with a modern facility that serves both the Scouts and the wider community. Despite the setbacks, the hall can now continue providing activities that help young people develop teamwork, leadership and life skills while serving their local area.
Read more about the Nadara Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund (Cardenden)