Councillors have started a petition to get the 1st Newton Aycliffe Scouts back into their Centre on Bluebell Way.
Recently the committee which manages the building told the scouts they had to vacate the building with no notice or explanation as to why.
The community came together with dozens of scouts, residents and councillors meeting outside the centre (see pic).
The launch of the Save our Scouts (SOS) campaign is gathering momentum.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Nev Jones who has now launched a petition to get the scouts back into their long term home explains, “This decision to evict the scouts is completely wrong. The Centre is the permanent home for all scouts in Newton Aycliffe and that should continue to be the case long into the future.”
Local resident Brian McAnaney, who attended the protest outside the scout centre last Saturday, raised concerns saying, “We know that there are problems with anti social behaviour in our town. Throwing our scouts out of their home is not going to help with that. We should be investing in our young people and making sure they have activities to do. Our scout groups do an amazing job and I urge the committee to rethink their decision.”
So far no answer has been forthcoming as to why the scouts have been told to leave the building.
Lib Dem councillor Michael Stead, who represents the division where the scout centre is sited, commented, “Whatever the committee is considering for the building, they need to stop. We need more activities for young people in Newton Aycliffe not fewer. I urge everyone in the town to sign this petition because ultimately it affects us all, whether you’re a parent or grandparent or have no children of your own. Taking away youth services will be detrimental for everyone, and having this building centrally located is critical to ensuring all young people can have access to our excellent local scouts clubs.”
The Save our Scouts petition can be signed online by scanning the QR code in this story or at durhamlibdems.org.uk/scouts
