Herrington Scouts receives much need help to landscape neglected waste area.

Herrington Scouts receives much need help to landscape neglected waste area.

Herrington Scout Group is commemorating its 80th Anniversary this year and has been actively involved in refurbishing and modernising its Headquarters, which was originally constructed in the 1970s. The group consists of five youth sections, including Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Rainbows, and Brownies, totalling over 120 children.

While they have enhanced the south-facing garden for games and camping activities, the neglected west area near the old storage building required attention. Much needed assistance was required to revamp this space which they hoped to use for outdoor cooking, barbecues, campfire songs, and gatherings. Their ultimate aspiration being to establish a permanent fire pit with bench seating.

Jim Kelso, the Managing Director of Airedale Forestry, a local landscaping company, visited the site to assess the required work. He approved clearing the scrub, laying landscape fabric, and stone as part of their social value offering to invest in, and improve outcomes for local communities.

 Jim and his team provided the labour and materials, working through challenging weather conditions to finish the job. Jim also agreed to look around their yard to see if they had any spare flags which would be used to catch embers falling from the fire pit and keep the pebbles clean.

Alan Toll, Group Leader at Herrington Scouts, expressed his delight with the outcome and thanked Jim and his team for their hard work. The new area will be used to have campfire sing-alongs and offer children the opportunity to learn cooking, outdoor fire lighting, and bush craft skills in a secure and supervised setting. The Limited youth provision in Herrington makes the Scout Groups 5 weekly sessions a valuable alternative to "hanging around the Park". It engages children and fosters social responsibility which leads to more positive outcomes for the local community.

Benefits

Social Value Offering £1k

Total cost of completed works £1033

Jim Kelso, Managing Director, Airedale Forestry said: "We are very glad you are happy with the final result; it does look good.  We are proud to have been able to help your group and hope you all have many happy years singing around the campfire".

Alan Toll, Group Leader  Herrington Scout Group said: "Many thanks for your works at our Scout Headquarters in Herrington, its really transformed the area!! We are looking forward to some better weather and as soon as we have a fire in place the fun will begin!!"