Mick Haines, front, and local residents outside the Scout Hut
A community has voiced concerns over access to an Oxford Scout Hut that was given more than £100,000 in public money for improvements.
The 10th Oxford Scout group was given £120,000 in April last year to make improvements to its hut on the corner of Marston Road and William Street.
At the time an agreement was reached between the Scouts and the New Marston South Residents' Association to allow community use of the building.
But Croft Road resident Mick Haines claimed the money had been wasted as members of the community had not been able to access the centre.
Mr Haines said: "The money for the development of that Scout Hut came from the money given to the area by Magdalen College when it sold off land for the Islamic Centre in Marston Road.
"The money was intended to replace amenities lost by that development, but I feel it has been spent in the wrong area, as no-one in the community is benefiting from it.
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"People have been wondering when they will be able to take advantage of the site, but no one seems to know what's going on.
"I feel the money could have been better spent putting lights into the Street Sports site in Croft Road Park or improving the lighting on the cycle path in the park."
Marston Road resident Nicola Bowers, 32, said: "A few of us have wondered about the site as we think it will be great for the community to use."
It was always agreed the Scouts would have priority use of the site when the funding was agreed.
New Marston South Residents' Association chairman Roy Darke admitted it had taken time to get community access to the site organised.
He said: "We have now set up a company, the New Marston Scout Hall Management Company, which will be holding its first meeting next week.
"Getting charitable status and community status takes time and our vision is that we will eventually set up a community association to manage the access.
"There are already things like tai chi classes and pre-school groups using the hall.
"I also think Mick Haines has a political axe to grind on this matter, as he wanted the money spent in Croft Road."
Mr Darke said there would soon be a notice board outside the hall with information on community events and booking.
Posted by: Unhappy Leader, Marston on 8:02pm Sat 17 May 08
Very disappointed by this article. The Scouts side has not been heard at all. The hall has been available to the local community for years and people have done this (parties, etc).
Perhaps if some of these residents who are supposedly unhappy actually attended some of the events held at the hall (such as the coffee mornings and Christmas sales), they would realise that it is open for bookings and has been for a long time. We regularly welcome the community in and take many bookings through our website www.thetenth.org.
There has also been an open day when the local community were invited to view the Scout Hall.
This article is making the Scout Group appear to be thieves by saying we are taking the money and not giving anything back. Absolute rubbish!
Perhaps the community doesn't care about the Scouts and just want it as a Community Hall all to themselves. If this becomes the case, you might as well say goodbye to the Scout Group as well as the Gang Show, supported by Oxford Mail, who use the hall for a great deal of the year for their rehearsals.
Perhaps the people who go to the papers about things like this need to think about the full affects an article can have on people before they do it!
Very disappointed by this article. The Scouts side has not been heard at all. The hall has been available to the local community for years and people have done this (parties, etc).
Perhaps if some of these residents who are supposedly unhappy actually attended some of the events held at the hall (such as the coffee mornings and Christmas sales), they would realise that it is open for bookings and has been for a long time. We regularly welcome the community in and take many bookings through our website www.thetenth.org.
There has also been an open day when the local community were invited to view the Scout Hall.
This article is making the Scout Group appear to be thieves by saying we are taking the money and not giving anything back. Absolute rubbish!
Perhaps the community doesn't care about the Scouts and just want it as a Community Hall all to themselves. If this becomes the case, you might as well say goodbye to the Scout Group as well as the Gang Show, supported by Oxford Mail, who use the hall for a great deal of the year for their rehearsals.
Perhaps the people who go to the papers about things like this need to think about the full affects an article can have on people before they do it!
Posted by: anon, oxfordshire on 12:23pm Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Unhappy Leader[/bold] wrote:
Very disappointed by this article. The Scouts side has not been heard at all. The hall has been available to the local community for years and people have done this (parties, etc). Perhaps if some of these residents who are supposedly unhappy actually attended some of the events held at the hall (such as the coffee mornings and Christmas sales), they would realise that it is open for bookings and has been for a long time. We regularly welcome the community in and take many bookings through our website www.thetenth.org. There has also been an open day when the local community were invited to view the Scout Hall. This article is making the Scout Group appear to be thieves by saying we are taking the money and not giving anything back. Absolute rubbish! Perhaps the community doesn\'t care about the Scouts and just want it as a Community Hall all to themselves. If this becomes the case, you might as well say goodbye to the Scout Group as well as the Gang Show, supported by Oxford Mail, who use the hall for a great deal of the year for their rehearsals. Perhaps the people who go to the papers about things like this need to think about the full affects an article can have on people before they do it! [/quote] i agree with you, when i was younger there was always things going on at the scout hut and they was fun!!
Unhappy Leader wrote:
Very disappointed by this article. The Scouts side has not been heard at all. The hall has been available to the local community for years and people have done this (parties, etc). Perhaps if some of these residents who are supposedly unhappy actually attended some of the events held at the hall (such as the coffee mornings and Christmas sales), they would realise that it is open for bookings and has been for a long time. We regularly welcome the community in and take many bookings through our website www.thetenth.org. There has also been an open day when the local community were invited to view the Scout Hall. This article is making the Scout Group appear to be thieves by saying we are taking the money and not giving anything back. Absolute rubbish! Perhaps the community doesn\'t care about the Scouts and just want it as a Community Hall all to themselves. If this becomes the case, you might as well say goodbye to the Scout Group as well as the Gang Show, supported by Oxford Mail, who use the hall for a great deal of the year for their rehearsals. Perhaps the people who go to the papers about things like this need to think about the full affects an article can have on people before they do it!
i agree with you, when i was younger there was always things going on at the scout hut and they was fun!!
Posted by: Unhappy Leader, Marston on 10:37pm Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]anon[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Unhappy Leader[/bold] wrote: Very disappointed by this article. The Scouts side has not been heard at all. The hall has been available to the local community for years and people have done this (parties, etc). Perhaps if some of these residents who are supposedly unhappy actually attended some of the events held at the hall (such as the coffee mornings and Christmas sales), they would realise that it is open for bookings and has been for a long time. We regularly welcome the community in and take many bookings through our website www.thetenth.org. There has also been an open day when the local community were invited to view the Scout Hall. This article is making the Scout Group appear to be thieves by saying we are taking the money and not giving anything back. Absolute rubbish! Perhaps the community doesn\'t care about the Scouts and just want it as a Community Hall all to themselves. If this becomes the case, you might as well say goodbye to the Scout Group as well as the Gang Show, supported by Oxford Mail, who use the hall for a great deal of the year for their rehearsals. Perhaps the people who go to the papers about things like this need to think about the full affects an article can have on people before they do it! [/quote] i agree with you, when i was younger there was always things going on at the scout hut and they was fun!! [/quote] Thank you. About time there was more support and thought for the volunteers.
Obviously, you've put Anon, but if you've ever attended the hall at any point in life, you'll know the Scout Group give a warm welcome.
Scout Groups are made up from members of the local community both young and old. Indeed, we have people aged from six through to 50+ at the moment, and a membership of 70+. The hall, as I said before, welcomes bookings. We always have, and if that's not enough, what are we to do?
Perhaps a few of the residents who complain would prefer to do the training and become Leaders. In fact, why not become a Leader of every Secton. That way, they could be at the hall nearly every night of the week, and they would finally be doing something worthwhile!
anon wrote:
Unhappy Leader wrote: Very disappointed by this article. The Scouts side has not been heard at all. The hall has been available to the local community for years and people have done this (parties, etc). Perhaps if some of these residents who are supposedly unhappy actually attended some of the events held at the hall (such as the coffee mornings and Christmas sales), they would realise that it is open for bookings and has been for a long time. We regularly welcome the community in and take many bookings through our website www.thetenth.org. There has also been an open day when the local community were invited to view the Scout Hall. This article is making the Scout Group appear to be thieves by saying we are taking the money and not giving anything back. Absolute rubbish! Perhaps the community doesn\'t care about the Scouts and just want it as a Community Hall all to themselves. If this becomes the case, you might as well say goodbye to the Scout Group as well as the Gang Show, supported by Oxford Mail, who use the hall for a great deal of the year for their rehearsals. Perhaps the people who go to the papers about things like this need to think about the full affects an article can have on people before they do it!
i agree with you, when i was younger there was always things going on at the scout hut and they was fun!!
Thank you. About time there was more support and thought for the volunteers.
Obviously, you've put Anon, but if you've ever attended the hall at any point in life, you'll know the Scout Group give a warm welcome.
Scout Groups are made up from members of the local community both young and old. Indeed, we have people aged from six through to 50+ at the moment, and a membership of 70+. The hall, as I said before, welcomes bookings. We always have, and if that's not enough, what are we to do?
Perhaps a few of the residents who complain would prefer to do the training and become Leaders. In fact, why not become a Leader of every Secton. That way, they could be at the hall nearly every night of the week, and they would finally be doing something worthwhile!
Posted by: anon, oxfordshire on 11:07pm Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Unhappy Leader[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]anon[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Unhappy Leader[/bold] wrote: Very disappointed by this article. The Scouts side has not been heard at all. The hall has been available to the local community for years and people have done this (parties, etc). Perhaps if some of these residents who are supposedly unhappy actually attended some of the events held at the hall (such as the coffee mornings and Christmas sales), they would realise that it is open for bookings and has been for a long time. We regularly welcome the community in and take many bookings through our website www.thetenth.org. There has also been an open day when the local community were invited to view the Scout Hall. This article is making the Scout Group appear to be thieves by saying we are taking the money and not giving anything back. Absolute rubbish! Perhaps the community doesn\'t care about the Scouts and just want it as a Community Hall all to themselves. If this becomes the case, you might as well say goodbye to the Scout Group as well as the Gang Show, supported by Oxford Mail, who use the hall for a great deal of the year for their rehearsals. Perhaps the people who go to the papers about things like this need to think about the full affects an article can have on people before they do it! [/quote] i agree with you, when i was younger there was always things going on at the scout hut and they was fun!! [/quote] Thank you. About time there was more support and thought for the volunteers. Obviously, you've put Anon, but if you've ever attended the hall at any point in life, you'll know the Scout Group give a warm welcome. Scout Groups are made up from members of the local community both young and old. Indeed, we have people aged from six through to 50+ at the moment, and a membership of 70+. The hall, as I said before, welcomes bookings. We always have, and if that's not enough, what are we to do? Perhaps a few of the residents who complain would prefer to do the training and become Leaders. In fact, why not become a Leader of every Secton. That way, they could be at the hall nearly every night of the week, and they would finally be doing something worthwhile![/quote] yes i have been there before when i was younger, and i had a great time, i was made very welcome and so was everyone else, i'd rather see money go into the scout hut than seein it go to waste in croft road
Unhappy Leader wrote:
anon wrote:
Unhappy Leader wrote: Very disappointed by this article. The Scouts side has not been heard at all. The hall has been available to the local community for years and people have done this (parties, etc). Perhaps if some of these residents who are supposedly unhappy actually attended some of the events held at the hall (such as the coffee mornings and Christmas sales), they would realise that it is open for bookings and has been for a long time. We regularly welcome the community in and take many bookings through our website www.thetenth.org. There has also been an open day when the local community were invited to view the Scout Hall. This article is making the Scout Group appear to be thieves by saying we are taking the money and not giving anything back. Absolute rubbish! Perhaps the community doesn\'t care about the Scouts and just want it as a Community Hall all to themselves. If this becomes the case, you might as well say goodbye to the Scout Group as well as the Gang Show, supported by Oxford Mail, who use the hall for a great deal of the year for their rehearsals. Perhaps the people who go to the papers about things like this need to think about the full affects an article can have on people before they do it!
i agree with you, when i was younger there was always things going on at the scout hut and they was fun!!
Thank you. About time there was more support and thought for the volunteers. Obviously, you've put Anon, but if you've ever attended the hall at any point in life, you'll know the Scout Group give a warm welcome. Scout Groups are made up from members of the local community both young and old. Indeed, we have people aged from six through to 50+ at the moment, and a membership of 70+. The hall, as I said before, welcomes bookings. We always have, and if that's not enough, what are we to do? Perhaps a few of the residents who complain would prefer to do the training and become Leaders. In fact, why not become a Leader of every Secton. That way, they could be at the hall nearly every night of the week, and they would finally be doing something worthwhile!
yes i have been there before when i was younger, and i had a great time, i was made very welcome and so was everyone else, i'd rather see money go into the scout hut than seein it go to waste in croft road
Posted by: Adrian Edwards on 11:38pm Sun 18 May 08
As the Group Scout Leader at the 10th Oxford I am very disappointed and extremely annoyed that the Oxford Mail has published this article without even seeking a comment or information from the Scout Group.
The Scout Group have been working with New Marston residents to get the community side of the hall running.
The hall is already being used by the community but the Scouts themselves cannot be responsible for laying on community activities.
I think the sixteen leaders and helpers that already contribute an enormous amount of their time and energy to provide over 70 six to fifteen year olds with an exciting programme already do their bit towards the local community!
I do not think that we can be asked to run a programme of activities for the local community as well!
Mick Haines and a group of his friends attended the open evening that was held last year and one of them asked why my number was the contact number so if they wanted access to the hall they knew who to contact!!!!
They clearly have some political point to try and make and are just stirring up trouble.
As the Group Scout Leader at the 10th Oxford I am very disappointed and extremely annoyed that the Oxford Mail has published this article without even seeking a comment or information from the Scout Group.
The Scout Group have been working with New Marston residents to get the community side of the hall running.
The hall is already being used by the community but the Scouts themselves cannot be responsible for laying on community activities.
I think the sixteen leaders and helpers that already contribute an enormous amount of their time and energy to provide over 70 six to fifteen year olds with an exciting programme already do their bit towards the local community!
I do not think that we can be asked to run a programme of activities for the local community as well!
Mick Haines and a group of his friends attended the open evening that was held last year and one of them asked why my number was the contact number so if they wanted access to the hall they knew who to contact!!!!
They clearly have some political point to try and make and are just stirring up trouble.
Posted by: Unhappy Leader, Marston on 6:19pm Mon 19 May 08
Whole heartedly agree.
Every point you have covered is 100% correct and I too feel that the Oxford Mail should have at least allowed the Scout Group to comment.
Come on Newsquest, lets have the hard-workers faces in the paper!
Whole heartedly agree.
Every point you have covered is 100% correct and I too feel that the Oxford Mail should have at least allowed the Scout Group to comment.
Come on Newsquest, lets have the hard-workers faces in the paper!
I had a party at the Scout hall in January, and can only say how helpful 10th Oxford Scouts were in helping organise it! I was allowed to seee the hall and get in twice on the day to start setting things up. They even offered a DJ service for the evening (which was excellent, best I have seen). I can only encourage people to visit their web site and to contact them for books. Highly recommended
WELL DONE 10th OXFORD SCOUT GROUP!!
I had a party at the Scout hall in January, and can only say how helpful 10th Oxford Scouts were in helping organise it! I was allowed to seee the hall and get in twice on the day to start setting things up. They even offered a DJ service for the evening (which was excellent, best I have seen). I can only encourage people to visit their web site and to contact them for books. Highly recommended
Posted by: anon, oxfordshire on 11:23pm Mon 19 May 08
Very true, you have done well over the limit to tell people who to contact if they would like to hire the hall for party's etc. i also agree the writer of this artical should of at least got a statment from the Scout leaders, we're ALL behind you 10th Oxford Scout Group!!!
Very true, you have done well over the limit to tell people who to contact if they would like to hire the hall for party's etc. i also agree the writer of this artical should of at least got a statment from the Scout leaders, we're ALL behind you 10th Oxford Scout Group!!!
Posted by: Roy Darke, MArston on 10:33am Tue 20 May 08
I am already quoted in the article so have had my say but it is worth adding that If Mr Haines learnt that there is more to living in a community than protest and petition he would be more effective. Action and doing something more than undertaking paper exercises (even his petitions are borrowed without permission from others) is what communities are all about. A leaflet was put around ALL houses in New Marston in September last year asking for volunteers to help get the community use of Scout Hall up an running. Mr Haine sand his cronies replied by turnning at the OPen Evening we held to grumble about the money spent on the Hall instead of coming up with anyting positive or sensible about its use.
We have a got a great new place for community use in New Marston. Perhaps Mr Haines should put his mind to how to help people here rather than run everything down that he does not like because he did not think of it.
I am already quoted in the article so have had my say but it is worth adding that If Mr Haines learnt that there is more to living in a community than protest and petition he would be more effective. Action and doing something more than undertaking paper exercises (even his petitions are borrowed without permission from others) is what communities are all about. A leaflet was put around ALL houses in New Marston in September last year asking for volunteers to help get the community use of Scout Hall up an running. Mr Haine sand his cronies replied by turnning at the OPen Evening we held to grumble about the money spent on the Hall instead of coming up with anyting positive or sensible about its use.
We have a got a great new place for community use in New Marston. Perhaps Mr Haines should put his mind to how to help people here rather than run everything down that he does not like because he did not think of it.
Posted by: anon, oxfordshire on 1:35pm Tue 20 May 08
[quote][bold]Roy Darke[/bold] wrote:
I am already quoted in the article so have had my say but it is worth adding that If Mr Haines learnt that there is more to living in a community than protest and petition he would be more effective. Action and doing something more than undertaking paper exercises (even his petitions are borrowed without permission from others) is what communities are all about. A leaflet was put around ALL houses in New Marston in September last year asking for volunteers to help get the community use of Scout Hall up an running. Mr Haine sand his cronies replied by turnning at the OPen Evening we held to grumble about the money spent on the Hall instead of coming up with anyting positive or sensible about its use. We have a got a great new place for community use in New Marston. Perhaps Mr Haines should put his mind to how to help people here rather than run everything down that he does not like because he did not think of it.[/quote] thats because all he wants the money for is croft road where all the drugs and out raged yobs are!!!!
Roy Darke wrote:
I am already quoted in the article so have had my say but it is worth adding that If Mr Haines learnt that there is more to living in a community than protest and petition he would be more effective. Action and doing something more than undertaking paper exercises (even his petitions are borrowed without permission from others) is what communities are all about. A leaflet was put around ALL houses in New Marston in September last year asking for volunteers to help get the community use of Scout Hall up an running. Mr Haine sand his cronies replied by turnning at the OPen Evening we held to grumble about the money spent on the Hall instead of coming up with anyting positive or sensible about its use. We have a got a great new place for community use in New Marston. Perhaps Mr Haines should put his mind to how to help people here rather than run everything down that he does not like because he did not think of it.
thats because all he wants the money for is croft road where all the drugs and out raged yobs are!!!!
Posted by: anon, oxfordshire on 1:36pm Tue 20 May 08
[quote][bold]Roy Darke[/bold] wrote:
I am already quoted in the article so have had my say but it is worth adding that If Mr Haines learnt that there is more to living in a community than protest and petition he would be more effective. Action and doing something more than undertaking paper exercises (even his petitions are borrowed without permission from others) is what communities are all about. A leaflet was put around ALL houses in New Marston in September last year asking for volunteers to help get the community use of Scout Hall up an running. Mr Haine sand his cronies replied by turnning at the OPen Evening we held to grumble about the money spent on the Hall instead of coming up with anyting positive or sensible about its use. We have a got a great new place for community use in New Marston. Perhaps Mr Haines should put his mind to how to help people here rather than run everything down that he does not like because he did not think of it.[/quote] he only wasnt the money for croft road where all the drugs and out raged yobs are !!!!
Roy Darke wrote:
I am already quoted in the article so have had my say but it is worth adding that If Mr Haines learnt that there is more to living in a community than protest and petition he would be more effective. Action and doing something more than undertaking paper exercises (even his petitions are borrowed without permission from others) is what communities are all about. A leaflet was put around ALL houses in New Marston in September last year asking for volunteers to help get the community use of Scout Hall up an running. Mr Haine sand his cronies replied by turnning at the OPen Evening we held to grumble about the money spent on the Hall instead of coming up with anyting positive or sensible about its use. We have a got a great new place for community use in New Marston. Perhaps Mr Haines should put his mind to how to help people here rather than run everything down that he does not like because he did not think of it.
he only wasnt the money for croft road where all the drugs and out raged yobs are !!!!
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