Oban scouts reopen doors

Oban’s Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts met this week for the first time in months after the group had to stop due to a shortage of leaders, writes David McPhee.

The organisation, which caters to both boys and girls, struggled for almost a year to recruit new leaders and it was feared that the Scout Hall would have to be sold.

However, after finding new volunteers, the club was able to open the doors to youngsters in Oban once again.

Leader Jeff Anderson said: ‘I came back out of retirement. I was a scout leader, but I gave it up six years ago. I started as a cub in 1957, so I have a few years behind me.

‘We managed to get six or seven volunteers, some with experience and some new starts. We decided to kick it off this week with taster sessions.’

Jeff’s son Jack put out a plea last September asking for people to get involved.

Jack explained that children who don’t go to football or other sports tend to come to the Scouts, before saying: ‘You are getting to do all these amazing things that you wouldn’t do in normal life.’

Jeff added: ‘If Scouts were to close, it would be a hole in the community. My reason for continuing is because I learned so much as a young person about getting on with my life, self reliance, skills, love of the outdoors, and team work.’

Cubs (eight to 10.5 years old) was the first of the groups to get started, hosting a taster session on Monday September 3 in the Scout Hall.

Scouts (10.5 to 14-year-olds) held a meeting on Wednesday, and Beavers, which caters to six to eight-year-olds, will meet on Tuesday September 11 from 6-7pm in the Scout Hall.

To find out more or to get involved, contact Jeff Anderson on 07751 566143. EVeryone is welcome, including any adult volunteers.