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The eight acres of woodland was purchased from the National Coal Board in 1959 for around £443.12.0. On old Ordnance Survey maps the woods on which the Camp Site stands were named "Blood and Guts Wood", although a potentially attractive name the name Robin Hood Camp Site was chosen because of our association with Sherwood Forest and also our District emblem, which depicts our legendry patron in similar surroundings. The Campsite is situated 4 miles south-east of Mansfield and 11 miles north of Nottingham, close to what is considered to be the Centre of Sherwood Forest. The 8 acres of woodland lie between 440 and 448 feet above sea level on bunter sandstone which forms the spine of Nottinghamshire. Soil is only 2 to 8 inches thick, consisting mainly of sand and peat with pockets of forest debris. Sub-soil is pure sand. At the time the following were recorded as being present on site: - 40 species of trees
- 135 varieties of birds were recorded.
- Animals noted were fox, badger, Roe and Japanese deer
The entrance gate was donated and built by Mr. Yeoman, the developer of the Berry Hill Area and West Bank Avenue areas of Mansfield. Hence the name of “The Yeoman Gate” was adopted. The Rover den was the first building on site and was built by the local Rover Scouts. The Rover Den was opened 14th July 1963. The den does not have cavity walls and was, therefore, difficult to heat. The main building was originally a Gas Board office in Derby until it was dismantled in 1974 then being dismantled by local Scouts & Leaders and re erected at the camp site in its present location. The cost of the building was £1,381.71. Although accurate records of the building history cannot be traced it would be over 20 years before being moved. This makes the present building 54 years old. The foundations for the main hut were old electricity poles. These were donated by East Midlands Electricity Board’s and were available following the dismantling of electricity lines. A number were showing signs of deterioration at the time. The power to the buildings was installed during the 70s. The cost of the scheme, prepared by East Midlands Electricity, was reduced to £60. The toilet block was built by a contractor and the District Ventures excavated a cable trench to the toilets. The toilets were connected with electricity and wired by volunteers. The toilet block was later extended to provide disabled toilet facilities. The sewer was excavated under the guidance of one of the local Scout Leaders using his older Scouts to do the excavation. The actual sewer pit was, however, built professionally. The entrance drive up to the car park and headquarters was lined with trees, this was called the “Peter Mellors Way”. The chapel was built by the Rover Scouts and a number of members of Mansfield & District Scouts who have died are remembered in the Chapel. The roofed area linking the Rover Den to the main building and the new entrance to the main hut was one of the last things to be completed. There have been plans now for some 15 years ago to extend the camp site. The local farmer was prepared to sell the land on the east side of the camp site to the District. The price was in the order of £8,000. One of the huts on the camp site was named after Mrs. Nora Parks, who was ADC Cub Scouts in the District for many years. This is known as Parks Cabin and is the latest addition to the camp site.
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