A SCOUTS group has been given thousands of pounds ahead of its 21st birthday celebrations.

1st Wigton Baden-Powell Scouts is celebrating after receiving £10,000 from the National Lottery.

Leader Julie Bryceson said: “We heard the news just before our 21st birthday, so it was a double celebration.”

The group applied for funding for three different things, the largest part for leader training. This will allow two leaders to gain their level three forest school qualification and outdoor first aid and paediatric first aid.

There is also funding for leaders wishing to develop their chainsaw skills.

Money was also given towards the cost of a replacement shipping container to store equipment and uniform.

Julie continued: “We have raised money towards the cost of a new container, however, we need one that is dry lined, with electric installed, so the cost is considerably greater than a standard container.”

A new container has now been ordered from A.W. Blake Ltd and it is hoped this will be in place in the next four to five weeks.

Top up money was also given for a water supply on Scout Land and the woodland.

Julie added: “We were able to show we had raised money towards this and I’m sure this helped us in our bid for the additional funding.

“Though we can’t see a need for water on the woodland at the moment, it is much cheaper to do it as the same time as Scout Land, as we’ll probably regret it a few years down the line if we don’t do it now.”

Getting water on Scout Land will mean all children in the group will be able to grow fruit and vegetables more successfully, cooking activities over fire will be much easier as water will not have to be transported from leader’s homes and a larger number of children will be able to be accommodated on training and badge camps on the land.

Julie conrinued: “We’re all delighted with the award; it is a great way to celebrate our 21st birthday and it means we can move forward with our plans, which is important as the group is continuously growing. We currently have 137 members, which we expect to rise to 150 by the end of this year, with a further increase in 2020 as well.”

The group has expanded year-on-year since its formation in 1988. A third beaver colony was started in March to deal with the increased demand to join the group.

Children travel in from 42 villages and towns and attend 20 different primary schools and four different secondary schools. The group has a catchment area of 228 square miles.

In February this year, the group were delighted to win a national competition which granted them £7,000.

The money won from the Aviva Community Fund was used to purchase a new sit and ride lawnmower - in scout colours - as well as tools to use on the Scout land including axes and a chainsaw, and wellies for the group.