1st Rhuddlan Scouts climb high

The 1st Rhuddlan Scout group should be able to scale new heights now that their climbing wall is back in full use. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Thanks to the efforts of a local PCSO, a grant of £600 was awarded to the Scout Group from the Police And Community Trust (PACT). The amount proved to be enough to replace a climbing wall at The Odyn Scout Hut in Rhuddlan which had fallen into a state of disrepair after years of good use. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

PCSO Rebecca Evans now covers the Rhuddlan and Bodelwyddan area and said: “There are around 50 children who attend the Rhuddlan Scout Group on a weekly basis – including the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. As a result of the funding they are again able to make use of this facility. It has also previously been used by youngsters from the surrounding area and it is hoped that the four other Scout groups – which consist of around 250 young people will also be able to use it.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

With six Scout Leaders and three Explorer Scouts, young people attending are given lessons in life skills, respecting members of the public, safety and healthy living. Now that the wall is complete, climbing courses will again be added for all the children and young people involved as part of the ‘Health and Fitness’ programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Speaking about the new wall, Scout Master Des Hayes said: “The new climbing wall in the scout hut in Rhuddlan (The Odyn) is designed to help the beavers, cubs and scouts to develop their concentration, determination, confidence and problem solving skills as well as helping to develop their physique. Climbing at any level uses lots of muscles, both upper and lower body, from your back, abs and legs to their fingers shoulders and arms, plus the reaching and stretching for holds improves their flexibility and agility.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He added: “All in all the traversing wall has given our leaders an exciting means of challenging and developing the young people in our Scout Group.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dave Evans of PACT said: “We are really pleased to have been able to assist with the wall, which has helped ensure that young people are again able to benefit from this facility. As well as encouraging youngsters to take part in physical activity it should give many of the new members an opportunity to learn a new skill.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​