Darley Dale Scouts and Guides need funds for new HQ

Darley Dale Scouts and Guides Association needs to raise money for a new hut as its current premises has seen better days.

The group is currently based in a hut in Church Road, Darley Dale, however it has planning permission for a modern building in the grounds of Darley Dale Primary School, in Greenaway Lane.

Ed Runham, chairman of the association, said the group will not be able to renew its lease on the existing premises when it expires in October 2018, so it needs to have the new premises built by then.

He added: “The current building is an old wooden built hut measuring ten metres by ten metres.

“I understand after the First World War a lot of these buildings in rural areas were used by the British Legion, and when they moved to a bigger premises they were taken over by Scouts.”

Ed said the current building is unsuitable for the group’s needs and the roof leaks.

“The new building would be made of brick and it wouldn’t have a flat roof,” he said. “It would have storage and an office and toilets.”

Ed explained that as the group would only really be using the building on week day evenings, it would be interested in allowing a nursery group to use it during the day, and other groups use it at weekends.

“That way the whole community to enjoy it,” he added.

So far the group has about £35,000 for its cause, and plans to launch a fundraising campaign to drum up the rest.

The Darley Dale Scout and Guide group started up about 80 years ago and now has about 100 members aged between five and 14 years old.

Ed said: “Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that there about 305 children aged between five and ten living in Darley Dale, so we are looking after about a third of the children in the area – I think this is quite significant because I think the group provides a much–needed service.

“Youngsters do activities, they learn self help skills, they are learning how to make a contribution to the community do practical things.”

The group is appealing to members of the community to come forward with old pictures of the Scouts and Guides from over the years.

Pictures can be sent to Ed Runham at The Cottage, Park Lane, Two Dales, Matlock, DE4 2FB.

Any donations can be sent to the above address or RBS, Station Road, DE4 2EQ. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Darley Dale Scout and Guide Building Fund’.

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