PEOPLE with enthusiasm, experience and ideas are being sought to join a new group seeking to raise funds to repay a loan on the new Goostrey Scout Hut and Youth Centre.

The building opened in May, and 1st Goostrey Scout Group has launched a major fundraising drive in a bid to repay a £50,000 loan on the Scout Hut and Youth Centre.

A new committee has been established by the group to come up with new ideas to raise funds, and the first meeting took place on Monday, when a number of people joined the committee.

Group Scout Leader David Giles said: “It was a pleasure to welcome several new recruits to the first meeting of our new fundraising committee on Monday.

“We agreed to create a number of new events this year to raise funds to repay the outstanding loan – and we will publicise these as they are finalised.

“The next meeting of the committee will be on Monday, March 12 at 8pm in the Ian Godfrey Room at the Scout Hut – when I would welcome more helpers from the next generation of parents whose children are using the Scout Hut. Please come along and share your ideas.”

The first meeting of regular users of the new Scout Hut was held on February 8, when representatives from the Guides, Brownies, Pre-school and the Parish Council met to review the safety, operations and finances of the building and share ideas for improving the operation of the facility.

David said: “Everyone agreed that the recent installation of soundproofing in the main hall - costing more than £3,000 and towards which the Scouts received a very generous donation from a local resident - had significantly improved the use of the main hall.

“While our priority remains to raise sufficient funds to repay our loan on the building, we shall continue to invest to ensure the Scout Hut is a safe and comfortable place for our community to enjoy.”

The next user group meeting is planned for July. The annual Scouts Big Bike Ride is due to take place on Saturday, May 12.