Gotham Village

The lease for the Scout hut ends this year and we have been given the opportunity to purchase the hut. If we don’t it will be sold off for development and the Scout Group will need to find a new base.

We have considered moving to other locations in the village but this is impractical due to the Group’s need to store a significant amount of equipment. Not high value stuff but bulky equipment that we couldn’t consider asking anyone else to store for us.

The Scout hut and grounds are in constant use throughout the year by the weekly troop meetings (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers), whether practicing for their pantomime, returning from late night hikes, cooking on open fires or assembling for group activities such as carol singing.

Last year 1st Gotham Scouts celebrated 50 years of Scouting in Gotham and they have been based at the Scout hut off Malt Street for the past 32 years. Gotham Scout group is a thriving movement with 67 current members, both boys and girls, ranging from 6 to 16 years of age.

The ethos for the group is to ensure all members have an enjoyable social activity each week. In addition to this the group is involved in many events which enhance general village life such as the barn dance during the summer, rubbish collection in October, the Bonfire & Fireworks display, carol singing and -the highlight for many - the Scout Pantomime.

We need to raise £60,000

This is a good price given the general cost of building plots today. We have approached the Scout Association and several Grant Fund providers for funding, but we need your help.

We need your help, and we need it now!

Were you once a Scout yourself and can you remember what a wonderful experience it was and what opportunities it gave you?

• Do you know anyone in the Scout groups and see what a positive experience it is providing for them?

• Do you have any skills that we may need to complete the purchase of the Scout hut, which you could offer?

• Can you, your business or your employer provide us with any financial assistance?

£60,000 is a considerable sum to raise and we need to raise it quickly.

If you can offer any help please contact us on one of the following numbers:

Jason Billin – Group Scout Leader 07779 969674 or 01509 820740

Phil Howick – Chairman of the Scout Executive Committee 07773 500186 or 0115 983 0627

Sarah Bell – Scout Leader 07976 471801 or 0115 983 0858

Helen Lomas – Secretary to the Scout Executive Committee 0115 983 1017