Thurnby Lodge Scout hut ready to open as centre for community
A former Scout hut at the heart of a long row over plans to lease it to a Muslim group is to reopen as a community building this weekend.
The Forgotten Estates group has refurbished the property in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, and intends to lease it out as a venue for clubs and community groups.
The group was formed in opposition to Leicester City Council's plans to allow As-Salaam Muslim community group to take over the hut.
The council rethought the idea after months of protests by residents outside a nearby community centre where As-Salaam was already meeting to pray.
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Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby agreed the Forgotten Estates Committee would be given the lease on the hut, in Nursery Road, for two years rent-free.
Maxine Williams, landlady of the Stirrup Cup pub and founding member of Forgotten Estates, said: "We are very nearly ready to reopen.
"We have had new windows and guttering, a kitchen fitted and fire doors put in. It looks like a totally different building."
She said it would be renamed The 55th – after the Scout group that once met there.
She thanked residents who had raised thousands of pounds toward the refurbishment of the building, as well as tradespeople who had donated time and materials to the project.
She said: "People's generosity has made this happen. The 55th will be used most days of the week.
"We are currently putting the final touches to the groups and the timings."
As-Salaam said it had now agreed terms with the city council over leasing the council-owned Raven Centre, next to Thurnby Lodge Community Centre.
Imam Mohammed Lockhat said the group had started moving in, ahead of formally taking over the lease on April 1.
As-Salaam had previously said it could not afford the city council's asking price for rent, but he said terms had now been agreed.
He said: "We are in the process of moving in. We have resolved all of the issues."
He said the protests which cost more than £200,000 to police and had deterred some worshippers from attending prayers, had stopped.
He said: "There have not been any protests for about a month.
"That is we are getting back to normal.
"I am trying to get all those people who were scared to come to return, but that is taking time."
Sir Peter said: "We have reached a position where everybody involved has the opportunity to fulfil their hopes and ambitions.
"It has taken a lot of patience from everyone involved and I would like to thank them for that."
12 Comments
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by beats
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:30PM
“More importantly it now seems that single interest groups have valid claims to take over community centres”
by beats
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:27PM
“Cllr fonseca has stepped up to the mark and has done his best to make up for the fact that the more experienced cllr out of the 2 for Thurncourt ward has gone AWOL”
by belgravekate
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:01PM
“One thing to recall,in the future,is who represented the community.There is/was more commitment to the area from Maxine than any clowncillor.As for wan**r,he shows his credentials.So does pete .”
by poppa6
Thursday, March 21 2013, 11:26AM
“If the Raven does become a sole use building for As-Salaam, I guarantee that the protests will start again. One of the main criteria for the original protesting was that the local people were set against any community building being given over to any one single use group. The council, or should I say Sir Peter Soulsby, think that, by giving the the Scout building to the whole community, the single use issue will disappear. I can assure him it won't. Also, where has councillor Robert Wann been during all this commotion? Propping up the bar in the village pub he owns, I shouldn't wonder!! Absolute disgrace of a councillor.”
by beats
Thursday, March 21 2013, 9:22AM
“Groups already using The Raven are being moved out so As-salaam have sole use... Bang goes the community building angle. If they had any intention of sharing surely these groups wouldn't be forced to move?
I'd be very interested to know under what terms to lease has been granted, it is common knowledge the terms of the scout hut lease, I wonder if they did get it for £750 per year like they wanted?”
by belgravekate
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:39PM
“So it looks like a so called charity,that said it could not afford the place ,does not file accounts now has agreed terms have a place.Assume paid for by tax payers.A bit like the money the clowncil dished out on stride.similar,not same,background .”
by belgravekate
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:08PM
“I think.do not know,but if the Lady Maxine was to stand as a councillor she would win hands down.”
by ladyjanegrey
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 11:53AM
“It would be nice for Al-Salaam to state what the "agreed terms" are as they were initial in this argument,they have not filed accounts.they said they cannot afford the cost
and not one person from the council has come forward to say everyone is a happy bunny.(maybe vegans!I joke).
The community came together against petes right to rule them.
Well done.”
by ladyjanegrey
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 10:23AM
“This issue was not an issue until clowncillors neglected their electorate.They were beckoned by pete to do what he said[apart from one who is the invisible man].
Another class failure of this pete city .”
by poppa6
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 8:44AM
“Now that As-salaam have their " Community " building, let us see if it is open to the whole community, as they have always stated it would be. Could be very interesting............”