Uncertain future for scouting campsite (From Surrey Comet)

Uncertain future for scouting campsite

4:27pm Wednesday 23rd August 2006 in News

The future of a 65-year-old scouting campsite in Cobham is in doubt unless £800,000 can be raised to keep it going.

The national Scout Association (SA) is selling the 28-acre Walton Firs campsite because it wants to concentrate its resources on three national centres of excellence in Kent, Oxfordshire and Essex.

In May, members of the Walton Firs scout group and others from the community formed the Walton Firs charity Foundation, to raise money to buy the site in Convent Lane from the SA.

Meanwhile Surrey County Scout Council has entered into a lease with the SA to manage the site until December 31, 2007.

Site activities include archery, rifle-shooting, climbing, abseiling and orienteering, with more than 15,000 youngsters a year camping at the site.

A fundraising progress report meeting takes place at St James's Church Hall, Weybridge on Thursday, September 14, at 8pm.

For more information visit waltonfirs.co.uk or phone 01372 461439.