VILLAGERS have been thanked for their support for a Buy A Brick fundraising initiative, which has raised £7,000 towards the new Scout Hut and Youth Centre in Goostrey.

Group Scout Leader David Giles thanked everyone who supported the appeal, and The Crown Inn for its donation of £500, which brings the total raised at and by the pub to more than £4,000.

David said: “The Crown has been a very good neighbour to the Scouts during the construction phase of the new Scout Hut and Youth Centre, and we are very grateful for their generosity.

“The pub has been the venue for numerous events, birthday parties in the pub gifting money rather than presents, locals’ nights, collection jars and football cards, not to mention numerous fundraising car washes held by the Scouts in their car park.

“It’s great to have such wonderful support from our village pub, and we look forward to continuing this close collaboration once the facility is open for use by all the youth groups in the summer.”

Edward Barlow, managing director of 16 Hospitality, which operates The Crown, said: “The 1st Goostrey Scouts are a fundamental part of our community, and as a village pub we are delighted to be able to support them in their ambition to create a new Scout Hut and Youth Centre.

“We wholeheartedly support any venture that encourages a strong sense of community spirit.”

David added: “The Buy a Brick initiative raised the fantastic sum of £7,000, which again illustrates the huge level of support shown by the community for the new youth facility.

“When the new building is completed 1st Goostrey Scouts will create a Sponsors’ Path leading to the front door of the new centre.

“Sponsors have been invited to buy paving bricks for £25 each – and to have their name or a message engraved on them. Most sponsors have asked for their bricks to be engraved with the names of loved ones, their company names or have left messages of support for the Scouts.

“Some sponsors have chosen humorous messages including ‘Here’s a brick from Pat and Dick’ and ‘say no to walls, build bridges’.

“The path will not only be a permanent reminder of the contribution sponsors have made to help fund the new Scout Hut, for some it will likely raise a smile or two and for others the path will be a place of reflection.”