Part of our policy of keeping costs down is to try cheap proven "Belt & Braces" maintenance methods (as well as us being cash strapped) Is to make the best of what we've got (in true scouting spirit).
Having walked past the Scout Hut hundreds of times we didn't realise we hadn't got gutters & downpipes either!
Part of our rising damp problem has hopefully been sorted, via a combination of work party investigation to establish the non connected drain, the singular "human digging machine" assistance of a wonderful parent, & some inevitable spending to get the problem sorted properly £300 ...money essentially from our own fundraising by both Cubs & Beavers.
One of the next things we can do to help ourselves is to have some vandal resistant guttering connected, (£££) allowing the brickwork to dry out & become stable again, (there appears to be a concreted over drain to connect to (see immediate left of the lamp-post in the picture).
Brickwork air dries in good weather by about 1 inch per month, ..& last summer, well you remember that wash-out we presume!?
Which brings us to the point of the proposed work party, under discussion is the use of the often proven Thompsons water seal (applied by paintbrush) to help keep further water out around the frontage of the toilet area (as per the picture, small right hand window, newer building adjoining the main hall, & around the corner along the window outside our cramped kitchenette.
Several applications will be necessary, but as brick is porus (soaks up liquid) it's easy to push in a few coats with old paintbrushes...
We will require the use of a few stepladders to reach & make good higher areas, but with the majority within easy reach should not present a problem.
So can we ask a handful of parents & carers to step forward & assist Leaders & committee members?
Tea, coffee & bacon butties will be plentiful to keep us motivated.
Please see the sign up sheet, it'd be great to see some new faces to engage with.
By sorting this problem with the hut we will be one step further to securing the building for future use & moving towards our goal of making use of the outdoor area, so this will be another step forward.
SO, how many sugars in your tea? & do you like your bacon extra crispy?
See Judith or Dale to let them know you may be able to spare a few hours with us.
Hope we can count on you when the weather improves!
Please remember the Hut is used by our Beavers & Cub packs, as well as twice weekly sessions by the toddler group, & Sunday school, improvements & maintenance will go to KEEPING this building a community accessible building for years to come ..& hopefully open up the prospects of more groups wishing to use it!
(& if you do need a meeting place, please ask us regarding availability, either on a pack night or via the contact form).