Buxton scouts, beavers, cubs and explorers have even more reason to look forward to the pandemic restrictions being lifted. They can’t wait to get back to normal with their Tuesday and Wednesday meetings, now that their scout hut has had a total makeover.
Thanks to many hours of volunteer work and a £10,000 grant from Tarmac’s Landfill Communities Fund,* the hut now has a brand-new kitchen. In addition, with support from the Bingham Trust and local company Otter Controls Ltd, new toilets have been installed.
Group Scout Leader, Steve Hollick says: “It has been a shame that the restrictions of the coronavirus have prevented all 80 1st Buxton Scout members from getting together. But there has been a silver lining to this – having the hut empty has meant that kitchen fitters and volunteers have been able to get on with the work safely, without being limited by hut use.
“We now have a much better space than before. The grants have been very welcome and allowed us to significantly improve the facilities – not just for the scouts but for other community groups who were already using the hut. We can also open it up and promote it for wider community use.
“As well as our sponsors, massive thanks go to the volunteers who have worked hard to keep our costs down and get the jobs done. In particular I want to thank Roger Harrison who has been involved with the 1st Buxton Scouts for over 60 years, and also his son Robert, Scout Leader. Both have devoted all their spare time to managed the project and carry out a lot of the work themselves.”
Chris Bradbury, Tarmac’s Tunstead Cement Plant Manager adds: “We are really pleased that a grant from this Tarmac fund has been put to good use locally near Tunstead. Whilst I understand the frustrations of the scout groups not being able to meet currently, I am sure that the improved facilities will make it worth the wait when they do return. We look forward to seeing how busy the hut is when things are back to normal.”
*The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund (or Landfill Tax Credit Scheme as it was formerly known) enables landfill operators like Tarmac, to donate part of their annual tax liability to enrolled Environmental Bodies for a variety of approved community and environmental projects. Landfill operators can reclaim 90% of their contribution as a tax credit which means the remaining 10% must be provided either by them or an independent third party. Through the fund Tarmac donates around £1 million each year to community projects throughout the UK. The fund is open to applicants who meet the strict criteria for projects delivering community benefit. For more information please go to www.entrust.org.uk
Picture caption: Scouting brothers Robert and Peter Wilson are looking forward to being able to return to their scout hut, especially now it has a revamped kitchen.