Member Article

Scouts thank generous contractor

GENEROUS building contractors have transformed Darlington Scout headquarters at a greatly-reduced price.

Now the newly-restored building has been officially opened by Darlington Mayor, Coun Tom Nutt.

The building, behind St John Evangelist Church on Neasham Road, was in urgent need of repair. The headquarters was built in 1972, when it replaced a wooden building next to the church and is currently being used by the 24th Darlington Scouts for their weekly meetings.

Brian Dobinson, an executive committee member of the local Scouts Association and a former head of Darlington Borough Council’s architects’ department, contacted Keith Caygill, Group Director of Northallerton-based building contractors Walter Thompson when it became obvious work was urgently needed.

“I’ve known Keith and Walter Thompson Contracts Manager Jason Henderson for a long time and was aware of the quality of their work. I explained what was needed at the Scout HQ, and they very kindly said they could sponsor the refurbishment in conjunction with their sub-contractors.

“They worked with their sub-contractors in getting a really keen price and we’re very appreciative of their support and help in putting the building back to rights.”

As well as carrying out basic internal improvements, Walter Thompson’s created two new rooms within the building – one to be used as a shop and the other as a meeting room. New heating, lighting and a new ceiling have also been installed and the building fully decorated. Outside work included the cleaning of graffiti and a small amount of landscaping.

“There’s been a massive transformation and we simply could not have afforded this much-needed work at full price,” explained Ros Micklethwaite, Secretary for Darlington and District Scouts.

“The building wasn’t fully used and had fallen into a relatively poor state of repairs. The District Executive Committee decided that it was the right time for a major refurbishment and we’re extremely impressed by the results,” she added.

District Commissioner Gary Micklethwaite said: “We’d like to thank Walter Thompsons and their sub-contractors for so generously undertaking the work. Every member that has seen the building is absolutely delighted and can’t believe it’s the same building.”

Jason Henderson, of family-owned Walter Thompson, said: “We were delighted to help out. The work was badly needed, but it only took a few weeks to sort out. We’d like to thank the sub-contractors who helped us with the work. The Scouts Association gave us a budget to work to and we made sure there were no extra costs. The building is now ready for provide the right facilities for Darlington Scouts for generations to come.”

Coun Nutt said he was very impressed by the work carried out and hoped it would be used by generations of Scouts to come.

Scouting has been in existence for more than 100 years in Darlington and relies heavily on volunteers. There are various ways in which adults can help, and anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Ros Micklethwaite on 01325 287011 or email secretary@darlingtoscouts.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Walter Thompson .