Cox Wood 25 Years Anniversary (And beyond)

In 2025 Cox Wood campsite is celebrated the 25th anniversary of its official opening in May 2000. Below are some of the key milestones from the last 25 years.

1998

Cox Wood Purchased

Woodland on Cox Lane went up for sale in late 1998 and Wrexham Scout District was in the lucky position of having money saved up and could move quickly to secure the site in early 1999.

1999

Initial Work and 1st Camp

It took a little over a year to clear the driveway, bring in a water pipe and gain the approvals and grants required to create our camp site.

1st Rossett Scouts claimed the first camping night – it really was a greenfield site in those days.

2000

Clearing the site and first climbing tower

Work continued into 2000 with a small group of volunteers clearing brambles and creating camping spaces, a chapel and in late April our first climbing tower was erected just in time for the official opening.

Here is the view from the top of the tower soon after it opened.

May 2000

Official Opening

Official Opening and millennium camp.

We actually had to camp in the farmers field; hire in portaloos and a shower unit as the site was still overgrown and none of our buildings had arrived yet.

June 2000

Work continues

Work continued with groups tackling their own camping areas, ditches and the pond were uncovered and coppicing was a new skill for us all.

2001

Foot and Mouth, 1st Toilet

The site closed for a month in early 2001 during a local Foot and Mouth outbreak and our first single toilet was finally opened on May 1st 2001.

It would be another two years before our first toilet block and septic tank is installed.

2003

Solar Lighting

Lighting was a problem so in late 2003 we secured a grant to install solar power batteries and panels which ran a small number of lights in the classroom and toilet block.

2004

New Kitchens

Our existing kitchen units arrived on site in 2004 and Wrexham’s Mayor officially opened them at Frost camp in 2005. The kitchens ran on solar powered lighting and gas stoves. No heating or microwaves just yet.

Alyn and Clywedog have both been updated several times over the last 20 years.

2006

Classroom refurbishment

in 2006 a major refurbishment of the classroom was undertaken. Including re-roofing, new windows and shutters, internal refurbishment and a carpet.

2009

Shooting Gallery

The shooting gallery arrived in 2009 although the building would require an extensive refurbishment and fit out prior to its opening.

2009

Toilet block

The cubicals from the 1st toilet block were removed and the building repurposed the office and climbing store.

2025

2010 – 2025

So much has changed over the last 25 years, all possible thanks to many grant funders and the many many hours our volunteers and young people have put into the site.

We continue to change and add new activities and replace worn out areas.

This year we are adding more seating around the camp fire, refurbishing the adventure area and fitting out an indoor sleeping space to be called Fox’s Den.

Every week a dedicated group of volunteers continue to maintain the site and develop new facilities.

Here is our oldest serving volunteer Malcolm, 94 this year, prepping benches for the season ahead.
And so the story continues _______________________

We are indebted to the many volunteers who have contributed to Cox Wood over the last 25 years to make Cox Wood the excellent facility that you see today .

But the story doesn’t end here as Cox Wood continues to evolve with modernisations and new facilities.

2026

Fox’s Den Open

2026 sees the opening of Fox’s Den, a fully accessible two room small bunk house with Alpine-style sleeping platforms in one room and single beds in the leaders room.

Here are a few more scenes from the Cox Wood Story.