The
Heighington Baden Powell Scouts are a thriving group of 140 children and young
people, all of whom come from Heighington, a town just outside of Darlington,
and it’s surrounding areas.
The international scout movement was established in order to develop and train
young people through recreational activities. For local groups like 1st Heighington
Scouts this means promoting the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual
well-being of their members, to help them achieve their full potential. In
Scouting, it is believed that young people develop most when they are 'learning
by doing,’ when they are given responsibility, and when they work in
teams.
The Heighington group applied for funding to help their scouts create a memorial
community conservation area in an unused and uncultivated corner of the local
village playing field.
We
gave them £1,000, which paid for shrubs, bulbs, wild flowers, wild life
boxes and rustic seating. The area was developed from part of a larger wetland area that at the time was completely neglected. The scouts worked hard to create an area for the local community in remembrance of two recently deceased village residents. The area is now open to all the residents of the village, as a place to relax and unwind.
“Thank
you for your generous support of our project. We have been able to create
a lasting memorial to well-loved Scout Leaders, enabled members of our community
to commemorate individuals who have been special in their lives and produced
an environmental conservation area accessible to all. As our copse develops
we are sure it will become an important feature of our community.” Sharon
Marshall, Akela.