The Salvation Army on Harrington Street can proudly announce it is the HQ of Preston’s latest scout group ‘Preston Central’.
AdvertisementIt all began with Captain Alex Cadogan, an Officer of the Preston Salvation Army, meeting with the Major of Preston and members of Preston district scouts on St George’s day parade in April 2013.
Through a long period of discussion they agreed to set up a Group in the centre of Preston.
After long months of planning and organising, an open day was set up in October 2013 which invited the local schools in the area along to try out different activities they would be able to participate in if they joined.
From a successful open day, the Preston Central scout group was formed.
Speaking to one of the Scout Leaders, Guy Hirst, who’s been a leader for almost 8 years, he said; “There is a big need for scouts, Parents want their kids to get outside and go exploring, learn life skills – things they wouldn’t normally get to do.”
Scouting has the ability to do 200 different activities, from zorbing climbing, abseiling, there’s no real limit to what they can do.
Scouting helps 6-25 year olds grow in confidence, achieve their full potential and become active members of their communities.
“There are a couple of groups in Ashton, Fulwood, a special needs group based in Moorlands school, but there are none in areas such as Plungington and Broadgate. It made perfect sense to have one right in the middle of Preston”.
Preston Central officially opened on the 7th January and the members have already been very busy.
“The cubs went to West Lancashire camp site near Beacon fell. They did lots of different activities: backwards cooking, navigation and got muddy, what they wanted to do”.
They have also learnt about more cultural events with the celebration of Chinese New Year.
Preston Central has 6 volunteers, along with Mark, there’s ‘Arkayla’ who is in charge of the cubs, an international student, a university student and two college students.
The volunteers are all fully CRB checked, the Leaders go through scouts own training scheme, which is recognised with a National Training Award from UK Skills.
Currently, Preston Central only has a Cubs group, but with the growing numbers asking to join, beavers and scouts group will be added soon.
Cubs is held at the Salvation Army on Harrington Street on a Thursday at 6.30pm. The beavers and Scouts will also be held on the same evening.
For information about Preston Central Scouts, please contact them on; 01772 823756
Or Email Guy on: ScoutingGuy1@gmail.com