A SCOUT Troop has been given notice to quit their base.

In 1993, the Boughton Monchelsea Scout Group was granted a 15-year lease on land at The Vicarage in the village. However, the lease runs out in September and is not being renewed by the owners.

Another local land-owner, Paul Firmin, has ridden to the Scouts’ rescue and offered them the use of an old barn at Campfield Farm, Haste Hill Road.

Group leader Karen Filmer said: "In many ways, the new site is ideal. It’s still fairly central to the village, but it is in the countryside and Mr Firmin has kindly said we might use his fields occasionally for camps and outdoor activities.

"It also means we will be able to walk down into the Loose Valley to do pond-dipping without using any main roads."

But two big hurdles remain before the Scouts know they are safe. First, they have to secure planning permission from Maidstone council to convert the barn into their HQ. They also need to raise about £30,000 to cover the cost of providing a new roof and toilets.

Ironically, the Scouts do own the building they currently use, but not the land. The wooden hut was a disused village hall donated to them, but it is thought the aging structure will not withstand being dismantled and rebuilt a second time.

Mrs Filmer said: "Mr Firmin is letting us have the barn on a 15-year lease at a peppercorn rent, but raising £30,000 will not be easy."

They have secured a donation of £5,000 from Boughton Monchelsea Parish Council; £1,000 from the Loose Swiss Scouts from their paper recycling collections; and they have raised £268 through a sponsored car wash. Construction company Wallace Keir has promised to supply kitchen units free of charge.

Mrs Filmer said: "We are keeping a talent list of people in the village: mums and dads who can offer their services in one way or another. The problem is we have to get out before the end of September - it’s not long."

To make a donation or to help with fund-raising, call Robin Fuller on 01622 609973.

A fund-raising gang show is planned by the Scouts for tomorrow (Saturday), in the village hall, at 6.30pm. Tickets on the door are £5 for adults, £2 for under-16s, with under-threes free.