FOR more than a century, the 43rd Bristol Scout Group has provided generations of children and parents with friendship, confidence and skills for life in and around the Stoke Bishop area. Today, it has 80-100 local boys and girls attending weekly sessions, supported by around 40 adult volunteers, and is keen to expand its provision to accommodate more children. However, the current scout hut in Kewstoke Road, a second-hand wooden structure which has housed the group since the 1950s, is no longer fit for purpose, with no modern facilities and in urgent need of replacement.
The dedicated Trustee Board, volunteers and helpers have been working for nearly 10 years to raise the funds to build a new, warm and welcoming Scout Community Centre, having already secured a 35-year-lease and planning permission from the council. Through much hard (and ongoing) work of fundraising – with events such as quiz nights, plant sales and morning cafes – donations, grants and wonderful community support, the total raised so far stands at a fantastic £380k. But more is still needed to reach the target of at least £450k.
At the end of June, the We Love Stoke Lodge volunteer group organised a summer fete and fun run on the Stoke Lodge Green – a highly successful day and a good chance to catch up with those in the community. Proceeds from the raffle were donated to the Scout Group, boosting the funds for the project by nearly £1000.
The new Community Centre will be a space not only for the Scouts, but also for other local groups and organisations to enjoy, and it is hoped that building can commence in the next 12 months or so. If you would like to make a donation, please visit https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/buy-a-brick