Two former 1st Newquay Scouts were among the Towan Blystra Lions who attended an Explorers’ meeting to present a £450 cheque and a video projector donated by Lions vice-president Jon Collins.

President Heather Stanley was delighted to hear of the success of the Scouts and all they had planned, notably the recent inclusion of a Squirrels section (four-six-year-olds) to join the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer sections.

Lions Colin Wellington and Phil Bunt, who met some 60 years ago as Cubs at 1st Newquay Scouts and have remained close friends ever since, both spoke to members of the group about their time in scouting and how proud they were to see the group flourishing.

Phil said: “The donation is a thank you for the Scouts’ help in lending us equipment for the Newquay Beer Festival and also towards the replacement of tables which I still recall from when I was in the Scouts! 

“They had originally applied for money for a projector under our quarterly grant scheme but, as it happened, Lion Jon Collins had a very usable projector he no longer needed and he donated this to them personally.”

Lion Colin said: “I came back into Scouting aged 40 as a leader. I rose to the dizzy heights of a district commissioner for Falmouth for eight years and my final role was as the county secretary. 

“Once you have been in the Scouting Movement it never leaves you. The Scout Hall is a great credit to all the parents involved.”

A donation has also been given to the Newquay Band.

Colin said: “Newquay Band have been a regular feature of Sunday afternoons at the Newquay Beer Festival for many years and the 2023 charity festival, run by Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club, was no different.

“All the acts at the festival play free of charge which means more of the funds raised can be donated to local good causes. 

“Of course, some acts like Newquay Band, are themselves one of the good causes in need of support and this year, before the festival, they had applied for a grant from the Lions’ quarterly grant scheme to purchase some new instruments and support their bursary scheme, Brass for All, for young potential musicians who benefit from expert tuition and guidance. 

“In addition to the £500 the Lions agreed to provide to support this worthwhile project, they also donated a further £200 to the band’s coffers as a thank you for their support at the beer festival again.

“President Heather Stanley took the opportunity to present the donation publicly at the beer festival before the band members took to the stage.”