Scouts get to work as they aim to improve hall

Members of a Scout group helped to clear out and tidy their hall to help launch a fundraising campaign for urgent improvements.

Children and volunteers from 7th Newark Scout Group were at their headquarters on Lover’s Lane on Sunday helping to tidy the hall, committee room, stage, kitchen and storage areas.

Volunteers at the group want to raise £28,000 to modernise the Scout hall so it can be used by future generations.

The group, which includes a Beaver colony, Cub pack and Scout troop, has used the hall as its base since 1980. A district Explorer unit is also based there.

It is hoping to make urgent repairs to the roof, which has tiles missing, and the carpark, which is full of potholes, and modernise the kitchen.

The group also wants to make improvements to the committee room, so it can be hired out, and to the stage, so it can be used as a performance venue.

The floor of the main hall, which is uneven, needs to be replaced, and strip lighting in the same room needs updating.

The hall, a former church, is used by more than 80 young people, aged six to 18, and various community groups, including a card-making group and a rabbit club.

The first fundraising event, a race night, takes place at the Scout hall on Saturday, February 17, at 6pm.

Tickets are £5, which includes food.