Andrew MacGregor says

Sad to hear that the Scout group has financial problems and like most local voluntary organisations is perceiving that new support is not proportionally flowing from the younger generation who are perceived to suffer from the advanced civilisation illness of "being too busy" to help - expressed with full appreciation of the brilliant support of the few.  In my experience genuinely 'busy people' do not use that as an excuse not to help; "if you need help, ask a busy person" remains true as they can be classified as"doers". Any person who refuses help is not busy and therefor using such excuse merely separates them from the 'stars'.

This publically invites the Scout group to set up a stall at Strathaven Ales' Open Day & Fete on Sunday 3rd June and tell the assembled good folk there tale of both woe and hope.

Due to lack of volunteered support the idea of a Strathaven Real Ale Festival is still in limbo?  Is there a will to hold such event in the scout hall? We have some strong ideas such as world greatest tombloa record, 1950's dancathon, pub wheelbarrow race, coaster spotting competition, street theatre and entertainment.

At Strathaven Ales we are more than willing to actively support and promote such an idea but we are not going to lead to find that no one follows - sadly those who responded positively to the idea seemed to think, understandably maybe, that support was just a promise to drink ale. The intelligent way to address a project is a lot of people doing a little not a few doing a lot.

As an aside I would invite comment to the theory that one of the consequences of Devolution has been the transfer of much financial authority from the local level to Holyrood and that this has resulted in an aggressive reduction of local funding for community based activities.  Example the superb Historic Lanark has been cancelled and will transfer to Carlilse in 2013.  Example 'Strathaven in Bloom' are now asked for £150 to enter scheme in which volunteers do the work for free the Council used to do. 

Andrew MacGregor

Samantha Potter says

Brilliantly worded Andrew. I am not from Strathaven, I lived here for a year before having to move out to EK due to house prices but volunteer at the Scout Hall on the committee. I grew up in a town a world away from Strathaven, their was no community spirit or community events and although I am not from these parts feel impassioned to support where I can as I feel it is so important. I sincerely hope parents can find the time to step forward and help these groups stay alive.