£50,000 deal saves Scouts

The popular 6th Hove group had faced being disbanded if it could not buy the land its tin Scout hut stood on.

Two years ago, the troop was given notice to quit the site in Hurst Crescent, Portslade, by Christmas.

The move followed a dispute between two churches over which should sponsor the 180-strong troop.

It had been sponsored by the nearby parish of St Nicolas and St Andrew, Portslade, and held its church services and parades there. However, the sponsorship ended because Scout leader, Allan Farley, was not a confirmed member of the Church of England when he took on the group.

The issue could not be settled, the Bishop of Chichester intervened and the Church of the Good Shepherd at Mile Oak took over sponsorship.

But St Nicholas and St Andrew's, which owned the land, later said that it had been covenanted to the young people of Portslade.

It told the Scouts they were in breach of the covenant and the land was being put up for sale for housing.

A campaign was launched to save the troop by raising the money to buy the land and to build a new headquarters.

South Coast Power, owner of Shoreham power station, provided £50,000 to buy the land. And the Scouts have so far raised nearly £40,000 towards the £200,000 they need for a new headquarters.

Group Scout leader, Allan Farley said: "The future of 6th Hove is now secure after eight years of uncertainty.

"We have now signed a deal for the land and we will be presented with the keys to the site tomorrow.

"It is fantastic news and we want to thank everyone who has supported us in this.

"It means the land can continue to be used for what it was originally intended - to benefit the young people of Portslade.

"Now we have to concentrate on raising the money we need to replace our old tin hut.

"It has been there for 40 years and it is starting to show its age."

The keys to the site will be presented to Mr Farley by Hove and Portslade MP, Ivor Caplin, who supported their campaign.