Many residents have watched the building of the new scout hut in Maryport Street with interest and now that it is finished it can hardly be called a ‘hut’. The well-designed building will be known as the ‘Centenary Hall’ as it was built in the year of the centenary of Scouting.

There is still much to be done to the interior of the Hall, with ambitious plans which will accommodate a wide range of a ctivities. These will include a sports floor suitable for roller skating and roller blading for under 12s, a bouldering wall with holds which become increasingly difficult as they go along, with 10-inch crash mats below, and 15 foot climbing ropes requiring the use of safety  harnesses and lines.

 Cub leader Ed Bainbridge said, “These facilities are all in hand, but further funding is needed for the equipment, with a set of crash mats, for example, costing £1,000. Eventually we hope to incorporate a portable ‘ice rink’, although that will still have to be funded, and one of our members intends opening a table tennis club”.

When completed, the scouts can offer the hall for use by other youth and community groups, but will have to seek a public entertainment license if it is required for use by the public.

“We still have a lot of fund-raising to do,” said Ed, “but we would like to thank the Officers of the Prescoed Rehabilitation Team, who provided us with a ‘dream team’ of men who have worked six days a week, voluntarily, to complete the project so far, saving us around £30,000.”

Anyone interested in joining the scouting move ment, or helping in any way can contact: Scouting - Debbie Bainbridge on 01291 671021(11 - 14 yr s.); Cubs - Ed Bainbrid ge on 01291 671021 (8 - 10 yrs.); Beavers - Chris Da vy on 01495 785664 (6 - 7 yrs.)