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Campaigners to reopen activity centre within weeks following Girlguiding U-turn

1 min read
A young people’s activity centre that closed in 2023 is to reopen in February following a u-turn by Girlguiding in its decision to sell the site to a campaign group of volunteers.
Eleanor Wilson (13), from 2nd West Blatchington Guides, led protest chants and singing. Picture: Lawrence Weetman
A protest was previously held in June 2023 following closures of activity centres and overseas units. Picture: Lawrence Weetman

Hampshire-based Foxlease activity centre was one of five that Girlguiding closed as part of a money saving drive at the end of 2023.

Early last year campaign group Foxie’s Future made a bid to buy the centre, in Lyndhurst, and continue running it for activities, however this was rejected by Girlguiding.

But during the autumn this decision was reversed and in November Girlguiding announced that the site had been sold to the campaign group, which is now an incorporated charity.

Foxie’s Future has confirmed the activity centre will re-open “on a phased basis” from mid-February onwards.

To buy the site Foxie’s Future raised more than £4mn, including a government Community Ownership fund grant of £1.78mn.

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