Rushcliffe Mayor Cllr Ron Hetherington has backed a bid by 1st Lady Bay Scout Group to rebuild its rundown scout hut.
More than £190,000 has been raised by the Group to replace its headquarters on Mona Road in Lady Bay, West Bridgford – but further money is needed.
A bid for a further £40,000 has been submitted to Nottinghamshire County Council’s Supporting Local Communities Fund. This money would bring the new building a step closer and ensure the survival of this valuable community facility.
Cllr Ron Hetherington was joined by Lady Bay councillors Richard and Sue Mallender, from Rushcliffe Borough Council, in supporting the plans at a special presentation at the scout hut.
Cllr Hetherington said: “This is an important community facility. The scout hut is a base for more than just the Scout Group – everyone in Lady Bay would benefit from a replacement building for a variety of activities.”
The old scout hut hosts weekly meetings of local community groups, as well as the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Built in the 1960s, the prefabricated structure is now beyond economic repair and no longer fit for purpose, with a leaking roof, eroding external walls, very little insulation and poor kitchen & toilet facilities. It is also unsuitable for people with disabilities.
Elaine Clarke, 1st Lady Bay Cub Scout Leader, said: “Our building is in a really poor state and can’t be patched-up any longer. We’ve been fundraising for a number of years and have raised most of the money for a new scout hut – but we desperately need Notts County Council to support this bid for funding.
“We, and lots of other people, would be terribly sad if Lady Bay lost this resource. We have excellent levels of local support, from Group members and parents, to Lady Bay residents and community groups, the school and the church. We believe our scheme will improve community cohesion and will benefit a wide range of people from the Morris Dancing side that meets weekly, to the women who meet, and make new friends, during their pre-natal exercise classes.”
Cllr Hetherington, Cllr Richard Mallender and Cllr Sue Mallender were shown artist’s impressions for the single-story building that would replace the existing base.
Cllr Richard Mallender said: “We completely support this project and the excellent work of the Cubs, Beavers and Scouts in the wider community.”
Elaine added: “Hundreds of children have benefited from 1st Lady Bay Scouts over the last 90 years. We need to protect our local Scout Group and secure its future for the next 90 years in a modern building that is fit for purpose.”
People can show their support for the bid by signing an online petition here: https://www.change.org/p/community-funding-decision-makers-show-your-support-a-new-scout-hut-for-1st-lady-bay-scouts-would-be-an-important-community-facility
PICTURE CAPTION: Looking at plans for the new Scout Hut in Lady Bay are (from left) Rushcliffe Mayor Cllr Ron Hetherington, Cub Scout Leader Elaine Clarke, and Cllrs Sue and Richard Mallender.