Newton Aycliffe Scouts: Eviction protest outside the building

The protest took place outside the Newton Aycliffe Scout Center on Bluebell Way on Saturday (September 3) against the removal of the 1st Newton Aycliffe Scouts from their purpose-built building.

Participants said the Scouts were an important part of the community and provided a positive opportunity for young people.

Councilor Neville Jones said the decision was “wrong” and community support was firmly behind the Save Our Scouts (SOS) campaign.

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He said: “It is a permanent home for all the Scouts in Newton Aycliffe, the Scout Association.”

“Unfortunately the committee has given notice to one of the scout groups here, the 1st Newton Aycliffe Scouts, to leave, which is wrong.”

“We are trying to overturn the decision, we have a lot of public opinion on our side.”

“We hope we can convince the committee to change their mind and let the Boy Scouts back in.”

“We simply don’t need to send two groups of scouts out on the streets two evenings a week, where there is already so much anti-social behavior.”

“It has to go on. [We] It is necessary for the committee to reconsider the decision and eat some humble pie.”

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The Newton Aycliffe Scout Supporters Association (NASSA) building on Bluebell Way was established more than 40 years ago following a lengthy community fundraising campaign.

Paul Howell, a former Newton Aycliffe scout and current MP for Sedgefield, condemned the eviction decision as an “incomprehensible state of affairs”.

Residents shared this opinion when they took part in the protest in front of the building.

Bernadette Wright, from Aycliffe, said she was pleased with the turnout for the protest, noting how many young people took part.

She said: “It was a good turnout, it was the young people who counted and they are the people who need to be at these events.”

“It just shows they really care and want the best for the youth of Aycliffe.”

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“So today people have decided to do some level of representation and hope that they get the result that they need.”

“This money was raised by people’s families and their fathers who helped raise the funds to build this purpose-built building for the Boy Scouts.

“It was never intended for anything other than that. I think the whole community needs to get behind them and show what really matters to the youth of Aycliffe.”