A steering Committee was formed.
The Council came up with the 15 acre grazing site.
Councillor Rogers (the then leader of the Council) gave his support and agreed to a 99 year lease at a reduced rent.
Drawings were prepared and submitted to the local Council by Denis Palmer who waived his fee for the benefit of the young people.
Willow Tree Centre was registered with Charity Commission on 29th April 1997.
Pinelog contracted to work on creating a biological system.
A sponsored walk raised £3,500 and Guides and Parents planted 4,000 hedgerow plants to form the boundary of the Centre.
The Shower Block was officially opened by the Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr. Alf Langley.
National Lottery granting £720,000 for the residential house and shelters.
Building work was completed and 87 mature trees were planted.
CCTV cameras were installed, fencing erected and special drainage on sections of the camp sites.
In May HRH Princess Margaret opened the Centre watched by hundreds of girls, leaders and friends of Guiding.
The adventure playground was completed.
Secure electronic gates installed and works start on the Tranquil Garden.
The final phase of the Tranquil Garden was completed and opened byThe Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr. David Routledg.
The archery range was created.
Approval was given to construct two more buildings - one was to become Pine Lodge and the second was our Maintenance Building to contain the ground equipment and machinery with a workroom.
Completion of the Low Level Challenge Course, Swing Ropes and Night Line.
Arbour constructed in Peace Area.
A Willow Tree Dome was constructed by Harrow and Pinner Division.
Funding and pledges reached £450,000 allowing work to start on the new Training Rooms - now known as Pine Lodge.
The new Training Block was completed in May and was officially opened by HRH Countess of Wessex.
The Tunnelling Activity was completed.
The balance of funding was finally achieved for the new Maintenance Building which was opened by the Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr. Catherine Dann.
Willow Tree Centre celebrated it 21st birthday with an afternoon tea in the house and surrounding grounds, which also acted as a fundraiser.
Willow Tree hosted one of 70 Beacons across the Girlguiding London and South East Region for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Interested in seeing more archival photos and documents about Willow Tree? Contact our Archivist Jenny Brazier and find out more about our archives on our County page.
Businesses in the Community have supported Willow Tree Centre with ‘Community Days’ where members of their staff spend a full day helping to maintain the grounds. These include British Airways, BAA Heathrow, PWC, Glaxo, Coca Cola, Canon UK. Without their help and support we would not be able to continue maintaining this Centre to an acceptable standard.