Press Release

New Scout hut opens thanks to Talbot Village Trust

Local grant giving charity, Talbot Village Trust, has donated £10,000 to Christchurch District Scouts to help cover the cost of moving and renovating a scout hut, which has been donated by Dorset County Council.

Thenew hut has been relocated from a school in Wareham to a suitable location at Hurn Bridge, close to Bournemouth Airport.Renovation then took place of the toilets and kitchen to ensure it was fit for purpose for the Scouts.

The donation from Talbot Village Trust has meant that the Christchurch District Scouts now have the facilities 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 Trustthat has helped to create this opportunity for the young people of Christchurch. The addition of the 22ndChristchurch 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.’’

Russell Lucas-Rowe, Trustee, added: ‘‘The Trust is delighted tohelp 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.’’

Talbot Village Trust meets biannually, and will be accepting applications for funding from both previous and new applicants in the areabefore the Trustees meet again in May. Please visit more information.

-Ends-

Note to editors:

The Talbot Village Trust is the legacy of two sisters who founded Talbot Village in the mid-19th century as a reaction to rural poverty. The village provided housing, a school and a church as well as agricultural land to grow food. Thanks to the sisters’ philanthropic approach and a careful investment programme, the Trustees have been able to maintain and increase the value of the fund.

Press enquiries:

Liz Willingham at Liz Lean PR

Email:

Phone: 01202 701828