North-East News
Drive to raise Scout hut funds
11:00am Tuesday 7th September 2010
PLANS for a £375,000 Scout hut and eco-friendly community facility are set to take another step forward with the launch of a fundraising drive.
Organisers hope building work on the project, on the banks of Bedale Beck, can begin in the next 12 months, if the fundraising effort is a success.
The town’s Scout group wants to build the new facility to replace its existing headquarters, which are run-down to the point of being beyond repair.
A steering group, known as Bedale Beckside, has been set up to oversee the project.
It includes Scout leader Chris Hall and members of other groups which will use the new facility, including pre-school group Aiskew Under Fives.
Mr Hall said the group is planning to launch its fundraising appeal later this month.
The appeal is likely to be launched at the annual meeting of the Bedale and Villages Community Forum, in Bedale Hall, on Thursday, September 23.
Fundraising ideas suggested so far include Buy a Bale of Straw and a Valentine’s ball, at The Motel, Leeming Bar, in February.
Mr Hall said: “The project is progressing and we are gearing up for a big push after a bit of a lull over the summer.
“There will be a meeting this month, which will set out how the fundraising appeal will progress.
“We will also be starting to look for contractors and businesses to put in bids for the work itself, when that goes ahead.
“It is an ongoing process and we are moving forward.”
The Beckside group is aiming to raise about a third of the total funds needed for the project.
In July, a grant of £10,000 was pledged to the project by the Bedale 4+20 Fund, which supports deserving causes in the area.
Mr Hall said it was also hoped Lottery funding may be available for the project, which has already received planning permission from Hambleton District Council.
If all goes to plan, the Scout group, which caters for nearly 150 young people in the area, could begin using the new building by early 2012.
The new building will be of an environmentallyfriendly design, with straw bale insulation on the walls and roof, as well as a green sedum roof and triple-glazed windows.
● Anyone interested in getting involved with the project is asked to email bedalebeckside@gmail.com.