Melksham Guide groups continue fundraising to save hut

Melksham’s Girlguiding groups are continuing their hard work to raise £25,000 for vital roof repairs to the Guide Hut, or risk losing their long-standing home. 

The campaign launched earlier this year when the group learned that the hut, near King George V Park, is facing serious issues due to a leaking roof.

So far, the girls have raised over £3,400 through a series of community fundraising events, including Chocolate Bingo, a stall at Bowerhill School Fete, and a chocolate auction.

“The girls are loving the fundraising campaign and they do enjoy helping out and getting involved,” said Brownie leader Helen Short. “Through doing this, they are learning about money and community and how to put events on for the community. A lot of new badges have recently been released as well, so they have a lot of new skills they can learn.”

Without the necessary repairs, the building, which was built in 1959, will become unsafe to use and could be forced to close within 18 months. This would threaten the future of Girlguiding in the town, which has been running since 1922.

Over 100 local girls in Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers use the building, which also supports other community groups, including Slimming World and Melksham Ukulele Club.

The group initially aimed to raise £40,000, however, they have since found a firm which has halved the cost, making the target far more achievable.

“Our initial goal of £40,000 just for the roof seemed like a pipe dream, to be honest,” said Helen. “Thanks to the new quote, we are now aiming to raise around £25,000 instead, to include some other maintenance repairs and updates to the hut.

“We, as Guides, own the hut, so we are responsible for fundraising for the repairs. If we can’t raise the money, the building will become unsafe and we will have to close or find somewhere else – but that won’t be easy, because hiring a venue costs money. There is the hut in Atworth, but not all the girls would be able to go there.”