Scouts aim to raise £35k for building repairs

The building is 50 years old and is in need of repairs to ceilings, roofs and doors

A scout group is hoping to raise more than £35,000 to improve its 50 year-old base.

About 150 scouts and guides gather at the Copthorne Scout and Guide Hut, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, each week.

However, parts of the building have fallen into disrepair, with improvements needed for it to continue as a hub for the groups.

"We’ve had some work done on the roof, so we’re watertight, but we’ve got a lot of problems inside the building that we need to fix at the moment," said Nicky Fancett, division commissioner for girlguiding in Shropshire.

Among the repairs needed is a new fire door and an entire new roof in the garage.

"The garage has become unusable, because during covid when we couldn’t come and keep an eye on things, we overlooked how bad it was getting...now it leaks like a sieve," said Richard Hall, group leader for the 23rd Shrewsbury Scouts.

"If we could get that back, then we get all that storage facility for all the camping gear and it’ll be dry and safe and secure," added Ms Fancett.

The hut's garage is completely out of use, due to damage to the roof

The groups are also looking to insulate the ceiling in their main hall.

"Even if we had to do it in sections, piece by piece to get this done, it’ll make the whole hut warmer," said Ms Fancett.

She said that the insulation work alone could cost up to £15,000.

"It’s a lot of money, and we’ve got a lot of work to do."

An autumn fair recently made about £2,000, which will go towards the fire door.

There are also plans for a community carol singing event in December to raise more funds.

"It’s an old building, you can see from looking at it," added Ms Fancett.

"It just needs some TLC."