Christchurch Air Scouts thank charitable trust for new base

A Scout group has been newly-created following the provision of a hut with decent facilities to help get them ‘airborne’ in Christchurch. Donated by Dorset County Council, the hut has been relocated from a school in Wareham to Hurn Bridge, close to Bournemouth Airport to be used as a base for the 22nd Christchurch Air Scouts.

The Talbot Village Trust awarded a grant of £10,000 to help with the cost of moving the building and renovation of the toilets and kitchen. With the new facilities in place, Christchurch District Scouts has been able to create an 8th active Scout group in the area. The 22nd Christchurch Air Scouts will specialise in aviation, giving the older group of Scouts the opportunity to learn to fly. The group will also take part in time-honoured Scout activities such as camping.

Brett Jones, district commissioner of Christchurch Scouts, said,“Scouting is becoming more and more popular and we need to ensure we can meet demand by having the necessary buildings available to us, to encourage the growth we are seeing.

‘‘We are so thankful for the donation that we received from Talbot Village Trust that has helped to create this opportunity for the young people of Christchurch. The addition of the 22nd Christchurch Air Scouts will bring a set of different skills to the Scouts of Christchurch. It was an obvious next venture due to us being so close to the airport.’’

Trustee, Russell Lucas-Rowe, added, ‘‘The Trust is delighted to help fund projects which benefit the community, and inspire young people to become involved in a range of activities, that they wouldn’t necessarily had access to before.’’