Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, has pledged his support to the bid by the First Hullbridge Scouts to build a new scout hut. The Scout group are seeking funding for a brand new hut, to be situated behind St Thomas’s Church, in the village of Hullbridge.
The Hullbridge Scouts currently meet at Riverside School hall, however if the estimated £175,000 is raised, the scouts will be able to enjoy an new, updated hut at ground level insuring disabled access (which was an issue with the previous hut), as well as a mezzanine floor with storage and an office upstairs. There are plans for a kitchen and toilets, allowing it to be hired out for use by the rest of the community.
The group’s 75 children have been fundraising, with £3,000 gathered from quiz nights, bag packing at Asda in Rawreth, and various collections, with more planned. So far more than £5,800 has been secured for equipment and a further £25,250 has been donated for the hut from the Community Initiatives Fund, the Scouts themselves and £250 from Hullbridge Parish Council. The group have continually grown in strength, and in recognition of this have been awarded a 2 year growth award by Essex County Scout Council.
The project is moving forward as planning permission for the new hut has been granted by Rochford District Council. The Chelmsford Diocese currently own the freehold of the land in question, but are cooperating with the First Hullbridge Scouts to try and negotiate a suitable lease. This would allow the project to move forward, enabling the First Hullbridge Scouts to reap the benefits of their hard work.
Commenting on the plans for the new scout hut, Mark said:
“I am very appreciative of the value of the scouts, teaching young children about teamwork and discipline, encouraging them to become active members of the community, and doing all of this in such an enjoyable way. I want to help see this valuable project come to fruition for the benefit of all those current scouts in Hullbridge, and for the generations of scouts to come.”