Mollivers
Activity centre and campsite in Bromham
mollivers@bedsguiding.org.uk
Grid Reference: Landranger Sheet 153 — 008518
Activity centre
The Activity centre consists of a large hall with parquet flooring, tables and chairs; 2 bedrooms for 24 children sleeping in bunkbeds (16 + 8); 2 rooms suitable for leaders – one sleeping up to six (three beds with pull out under-beds) the other up to four (one bunkbed and one bed with under-bed). There is also a First Aid room with wash-hand basin and bed. The kitchen is fully equipped with stainless steel units. There are 3 toilets and showers in the children’s washroom together with five small wash-hand basins and two single shower/toilet-rooms; one of which is suitable for people with a physical disability. There is a picnic area with 4 picnic tables/benches. There is a defibrillator in the building. Large car park.
Campsites
The two Campsites — one large and one small — are set in 2 acres on the edge of 8 acres of woodland. They can be reached through the woods from the Molivers Lane entrance. There is a padlocked gate to the bridle path, which is alongside 54, Woodland Drive, which can be unlocked if needed. The Camp Store has toilets and showers, including a toilet and shower suitable for people with a physical disability. In the Camp Store there are 2 fridge-freezers, 2 sinks, 2 electric kettles and a microwave. Equipment is available to hire for both sites — the list of equipment can be requested. There is a flagpole on the smaller site near the Camp Store.
When arriving and departing please use the Molivers Lane entrance and walk through the woods. It is possible to drive a car down to the campsites but the state of the path / fallen branches would need to be assessed for suitability at the time. Cars should not be left by the camp shelter but parked in the Activity Centre car park.
General information
Times of arrival and departure can be arranged with the booking secretary. Your site may be inspected before you leave.
Keys: If you are within Bedford Division, please borrow the appropriate keys from a key holder, or telephone the Booking Secretary. If you are outside Bedford Division, information will be sent to you on receipt of the balance of your payment.
Departure Checklists are kept in the Activity Centre and Camp Store. Please complete one before you leave. Please take particular care to ensure all lights, heaters and taps are switched off before leaving.
There are two campfire sites and several small (patrol) fireplaces in the woods. There is access to an outside toilet and water tap at the centre.
The Guide Shop can be opened by arrangement. There are souvenirs and Mollivers badges for sale.
Coaches are not allowed through the main gate — the road is unsuitable. They should stop near the corner of Springfield Drive and turn there, backing up to the gates.
Amenities
Local groceries (10 mins walk):
One Stop Convenience Store, off Molivers Lane, Bromham. There is a Cash point machine in the wall and a Post Office in the shop. There is also a pharmacy and a Fish and Chips Shop alongside — (you can book online).
Supermarkets:
Budgens, Northampton Road, Bromham
Sainsburys, Clapham Road, Bedford
Walk in Centre:
The Walk-In Centre is open daily to all NHS patients 365 days a year. The opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 2:00 pm. Weekends and Bank Holidays are 8:00am to 5:00pm.
93 Queens Drive, Putnoe, Bedford, MK41 9JE Tel : 01234 319992
Hospital:
Accident and Emergency Department, Bedford General Hospital, South Wing, Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ — 01234 355122.
Travel:
It is possible to go into Bedford by bus from the bus stop near the Molivers Lane end of Springfield Drive, Bromham. Enquiries: Stagecoach, The Bus Station, Allhallows, Bedford — Tel: 01234 220030, Website: www.stagecoachbus.com/bedford
Activities on or near the site
Archery: book via Beds County Guides. http://www.bedsguiding.org.uk
Games Equipment: There are various Big Games in the Activity Centre lobby and a rounders bat in the Camp Store. Please bring your own balls.
Geocaching: There are caches in Bromham but also 4 around the woods. Instructions in both the Camp store and Activity Centre
Parachute: There is a parachute with instructions in the Camp Store.
Table football: Available in the Activity Centre.
* Bromham Scout Campsite (Leslie Sell Activity Centre) is opposite Mollivers Activity Centre entrance — 01234 824080, often manned during office hours, with 24 hour answerphone, www.lsac.org.uk. Check their website for activities they can provide.
Activities within walking distance
Bromham Water Mill, Bridge End: surrounded by meadows, just north of the old road bridge over the river — limited opening www.bedford.gov.uk
Bromham Lake Nature Reserve: on right at far end of Lower Farm Road — Open all hours.
Stevington Windmill: www.bedford.gov.uk
Activities further afield which require transport
The Kempston Outdoor Centre, Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, Bedford —You must book in advance. https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com
Box End Water Park – http://www.boxendpark.com
Bunyan Meeting and Museum: Mill Street, Bedford — www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk
Harrold‑Odell Country Park: www.hocp.co.uk
Higgins Museum: www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk
Marston Vale Millennium Country Park: Marston Moretaine — www.marstonvale.org
Moot Hall, Elstow: houses a collection illustrating the history of Elstow, the home of John Bunyan — www.moothall.weebly.com
Priory Country Park: www.bedford.gov.uk
Shuttleworth Collection: Old Warden — vintage airplanes and cars — www.shuttleworth.org
Snozone Xscape. Milton Keynes real snow skiing and tobogganing — www.xscape.co.uk
Swimming at Oasis Beach Pool: Cardington Road, Bedford — This is a fun pool with waves and chutes. Other pools also in the area, see www.bedford.gov.uk
The Swiss Garden: Old Warden — www.shuttleworth.org
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park: www.zsl.org
Wicksteed Park: Kettering — boating lake, entertainments, steam railway — www.wicksteedpark.org
Willington Dovecote: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Woburn Abbey: www.woburn.co.uk
Woburn Safari Park: www.woburnsafari.co.uk
There are leaflets in the Activity Centre and Camp Store with detailed information for your convenience.
The Camp Store
Various items are kept in the Camp Store for the use of all campers, and there is no charge for their use, including:
Folding chairs and stools
Folding tables
A variety of sizes of pots and pans / cooking equipment
Trolley with pneumatic tyres
Several toilet tents, for practice pitching, unless required by First Aid use. Several chemical toilets
Spade, broom, sweeping brush
Stepladder
Altar fires, ash buckets and shovels
Tool kit: glue gun and sticks, hammer, hand woodsaw, pliers, screwdriver, sharpeners, small saw and blades
Fire extinguisher just inside the doors
You may collect dead wood from the woods. Please do not cut live wood from the trees.
Bookings
Bookings secretary
Email : Mollivers@btinternet.com
Outdoor activities adviser:
Mrs Liz Rix
97, Putnoe Street
Bedford, MK41 8JB
Telephone: 01234 363607
Email: elizabeth.rix1@btinternet.com
Brownie residential adviser:
Dr Caroline Mathew
41, Chestnut Ave
BEDFORD MK43 8GD
Telephone: 01234 826190
Email: carolineeeles@yahoo.co.uk
For further information on booking, please download the information booklet available here.
Booking forms are available here.