Barnham Scout group is relaunched after two years

The pioneers attended the first meeting of the re-formed 1st Barnham Scout group.

The occasion marked a resurgence of Scouting in the village. The previous group disbanded because of a lack of adult helpers and falling numbers of Scouts below five.

District commissioner Julie Dixon said the re-emergence of Scouting was a positive move for boys and girls aged between ten-and-a-half and 14-and-a-half around Barnham.

'The re-opening of 1st Barnham Scout troop sees the culmination of many months of work behind the scenes by all the volunteer leaders and committee members and friends of this group,' she stated.

'I would like to welcome Stuart Thorne as their new Group Scout leader and Simon Arbuckle as the new Scout leader alongside Jo Walden '“ the group's new executive committee chairman. I wish them all well in their roles.'

Stuart's arrival in Barnham, with his background in Scouting in London, was the catalyst for the new group's formation. The existing leaders also considered it a shame that Barnham's Scout group had younger members but lacked Scouts.

The troop will take part in an exciting and varied programme and will fulfill a considerable need in the area. Meetings will take place each week at Barnham Village Hall, Yapton Road, Barnham, at 7.30pm on Tuesdays. Prospective members are most welcome to come along.

The introduction of the new Scout troop means the Barnham Scout group offers continuous excitement for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14-and-a-half.

Between six and eight years, they can be Beaver Scouts, between eight and 10.5 years Cubs Scouts and then Scouts until they are 14-and-a-half. From then onwards, the young people can continue the Scouting adventure as Explorer Scouts and Network members from 18 to 25 years.

Their facilities are provided within the local Scout district of Arundel and Littlehampton, of which 1st Barnham Scout group is a part.

Anyone who wishes to become involved with this group, or with Scouting in the area, should visit the www.al-scouts.org.uk website.