Ballymoney Scout Group Chairman’s Annual Report 2017
The past year has been a busy one for Ballymoney Scout Group, as our group experienced many exciting developments.
I’m pleased to be able to report to you that we have undertaken some major improvements to our hall and land.
We have had the front courtyard tidied and fenced, ensuring those using our hall are better separated from those using the road and footpath, making the front of our hall a much safer area.
You will have noticed the mural painted on the wall, featuring silhouettes of our leaders at a scout campsite scene. This was the generous gift to the group by one of the parents - we are also deeply grateful to him for his time spent producing this wonderful piece of art
The back room has been re-purposed from a storage area to a useful space for group members to use, and allows easy access to our newly designed back yard. The yard was previously a rough surface and had been overgrown with weeds, so this year we engaged the services of a landscaping contractor, who has cleared the area, put down a solid hardwearing concrete surface, and has finished the boundaries with a high fence to secure the area and its contents. Additionally, a locking doorway into the yard will allow access via a path to the steps leading to the public car park at the rear, allowing convenient access to the premises.
We are grateful to Ballyrashane Creamery who kindly donated a portacabin which we have placed in the corner of the yard – this will be a very useful asset as we plan future activities for our young people.
The young people themselves have also been involved in the development of the yard – they have learned valuable DIY lessons whilst undertaking projects such as making planter boxes for this area.
New year and new leaders – with the development of the County Night Owls explorers unit our Scouts now move on to that rather that staying locally with our group – this gives them much more opportunity for adventure. Cubs, scouts and beavers have all grown and David (Shere Khan) has taken over the reigns of the scout section and this has been very positively received.
The accounts show a healthy turn around in fortunes and we will continue to utlise this to ensure young people have the best possible facilities.
YIS MAtt