Mon, 25 Nov 2013
Scouts in hunt for new scout hall
Ellis Barker
ellis.barker@newburynews.co.uk
SCOUTS in Wash Common are embarking upon a unique challenge this year as they plan to build a new scout hall. The 1st Wash Common Scout Group, which currently has 150 children enrolled in its Beaver, Cub and Scout groups, is currently based in the scout hut in Battery End, Wash Common, however group leader Eugene Futcher said a new hut was needed due to the existing building falling into disrepair. He told newburytoday.co.uk's sister publication the Newbury Weekly News: "The Battery End Hall is now over 100 years old and although extensively maintained in recent years it is still a wooden building and ultimately needs to be replaced. "In addition to the need to renew the fabric of the building, scouting has experienced considerable growth in recent years and we need to be able to expand in the future and this is not feasible in the existing building." The club is considering either demolishing the existing hut and building a replacement on the same site, or building a new hut on a separate piece of land. Mr Futcher said: "The Scout Group will need to raise a considerable amount of money for the building fund. "We anticipate that it will be several years before we are ready to either rebuild on the site or build on a new site. "The 1st Wash Common Scout Group is interested in hearing from anyone in the community who may be able to help either with grant aid for the building fund or with land proposals for a redevelopment opportunity." Anyone who may be able to help can contact Mr Futcher by calling (01635) 253173 or 0777 185 7684 or emailing efutcher@gmail.com