Scouts given a helping hand

Jul 10 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

FOUR local building firms lead by Seaham-based contractors St Astier have come to the rescue of a scout group whose headquarters was showing signs of imminent collapse.

The single-storey brick building in Chester-le-Street had been home to members of the Beaver, Cub and Scout sections of the Burnmoor Scout Group for 40 years, but had to close earlier this year on safety grounds after the roof and walls started to collapse.

Luckily, help was at hand when a rescue party stepped in to ensure the future of the groups.

The party included Ranson Og, managing director of St Astier, John Sayers of Hodgson and Allon Roofing, in Stanley, County Durham, Eddie Anderson of KML Scaffolding, Wallsend, and Dean Thomas of First Waste Management at Shotton Colliery, County Durham.

Together they have agreed to provide scaffolding, roof repairs, the demolition and rebuilding of the walls, as well as waste management without any cost to the Scouts.

The Scouts were unable to claim against their insurance policies but their insurer has also agreed to contribute towards the work – estimated to be around £15,000 in total.

Support for the Burnmoor Scout Group could not have come at a better time as this year is their 80th anniversary, with celebrations starting this summer, including a camping expedition to Bassenthwaite in the Lake District followed by an anniversary dinner at the refurbished building in October.

Ranson Og said: "All the firms involved wanted to support the scouts. “The Scout Group offers great opportunities to the local kids.

“It helps them get down to the basics and learn real-life skills that schools and modern parenting sometimes miss.

“If we can do something positive for the Scouts, then it's right by me."