As you read this article hopefully work on the Scout Hut which can be seen when walking through the Valley Gardens in Marske will be complete. The project, managed by our Group Chair Carole Sanders and the ‘Barn Owls’ executive committee started in 2019. It was derailed by Covid 19 when scouting was suspended (just after planning permission was received in March 2020) and has had many ups and downs since.
Undeterred by setbacks Carole continued to apply for funding and pursue quotes for the work needed to protect and improve the building for future generations of Scouts. Only this February the company we were using to complete the work went into administration, then followed a few weeks of uncertainty until Brimms Construction took over the contract.
Eventually, we were lucky enough to receive grants from:
- The National Lottery
- Arnold Clark
- Robert Hall Foundation
- Jack Brunton Charitable Trust,
- Woodsmith Foundation
- Leslie Sell Charitable Trust
- Zetland Masonic lodge
- Redcar & Cleveland local ward councillors.
As well as Pledges from Garfield Western Foundation and Bernard Sunley Charitable Trust.
We must not forget the support from our members at many events, including a whole group Sponsored Walk! The local community and members also supported our Grand Draw raffle and Scout Post before Christmas. We also welcomed, personal donations from friends and neighbours.
The Scout Hut, now, has a new, larger kitchen which has been relocated closer to the main hall. This will increase cooking opportunities for members and help us to hold more community events from the building.
- Our storerooms have been reconfigured and hopefully everything that came out, will go back in!
- The roof has been re felted, we have new fascias, soffits and guttering.
- The concrete building has been protected by a grey cladding which gives the hut, a whole new makeover!
We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors.
We would like to thank the workforce from Brimms Construction, who have been brilliant, as well as other local companies for the work undertaken on this project.
A & M Solutions Electrical Contractors. Coastal Carpets. Howdens. Scraftons Plumbing & Heating. SPS Joinery. Birkbeck Electricals. M Beech.
Thanks to Marske Guides and Sue Southern, who allowed our younger sections to use the Guide House while we were unable to use our hut. Older Scouts had outdoors meetings.
Our appreciation goes to the numerous scouting volunteers who gave their time to see the project through to completion and ensure we are back in the Scout hut before the Coronation weekend in May!