Scout hut group gets cash for kit
A group that successfully campaigned to be able to use a Scout hut has been given a £1,750 grant to hold exercise classes there.
The Forgotten Estates Committee had campaigned for more than six months against a decision to let Muslim prayer group As Salaam take over the hut, in Thurnby Lodge, saying it should be given control of the building to put to wider community use.
On Monday, Councillor Luis Fonseca, chairing a Thurncourt community meeting, announced the city council would provide £1,750 for a boxercise group at the hut.
He said further funding might also be available.
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The cash will help pay for a boxing ring, pads, gloves, mirrors, mats, an exercise bike and other equipment. Boxercise sessions will be run by people from the estate.
After the meeting, Maxine Williams, licensee of the Stirrup Cup pub and a founding member of the Forgotten Estates group, said the area could start looking forward after a difficult time.
She said: "There's definitely a more positive feeling on the estate now and people are more relaxed.
"As far as I'm concerned, all the protesting is over.
"It's very good they can go ahead with the boxercise club. That's something people have been wanting at the hut."
At the beginning of Monday's meeting, Steve Goddard, the city council's head of community services, read out a statement from the mayor.
He said: "The results of the consultation showed the vast majority were in favour of the Forgotten Estates Committee taking over the Scout hut.
"Although there are still some details to be agreed, Forgotten Estates has started work on the Scout hut."
The volunteers – who are installing a kitchen and heating system, as well as decorating the building – were invited to stand up and received a round of applause.
As Salaam is in discussions with the city council about leasing another property.
Ms Williams said: "The exact lease details for the Scout hut are still being discussed but people have been in there.
"Almost everything has been donated free and volunteers are giving their time.
"It's wonderful how people have been coming out of the woodwork to get this project up and running."
Comments
by _The_Truth
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 1:22PM
“Excellent news. This is what a community centre is all about, getting people together and not having religion and politics interfere. Al-Salaam can buy any of the derelict properties in Highfields if they wish and it will not cause an issue with congestion as most of the residents will be local.”