State-of-the-art centre equipped for 21st century

THE new young people's activity centre at Rhydd Covert will rise from the ashes when it is officially opened on Saturday.

The state-of-the-art building, which acts as the focal point of the 50-acre woodland site owned by Kidderminster & District Scout Council, replaces a dilapidated hut torched by vandals in October 2004.

The new centre has been paid for by a tremendous community effort which has seen £80,000 raised in just 20 months since the vandals struck.

Groups, pubs, clubs, businesses and individuals - supporters ranging from as young as six to those in their 80s - have rallied to the cause to turn the dream of a purpose-built centre into a reality in double-quick time.

Operation Covert was launched by the Shuttle/Times & News in the week the old building was attacked, and immediately captured the hearts of Wyre Forest people.

Many of those backing the appeal had fond memories of Rhydd Covert, having spent time there as children. Others came to realise the value of the facility when their own children stayed there as Scouts and Guides and wanted to help secure its future.

Others backing the project had no connection with Scouting but felt it was a positive environment for young people to gain valuable life experiences and skills.

The public appeal reached its £80,000 target last month, raising almost £1,000 a week in the 20 months since its launch.

The project received an unexpected boost last summer when the Scout Council decided to sell the decaying John Stretton Memorial Hall which would have been costly to renovate.

A pledge of £60,000 from the sale enabled Operation Covert to aim for a bigger and better centre, incorporating all the modern safety, security and disabled access features needed for the 21st century.

It is estimated to be worth more than £200,000 as it opens its doors for the first time this weekend.

On top of the fund-raising appeal, local businesses donated items such as double glazing, fixtures and fittings and a state-of-the-art alarm to save many thousands of pounds.

The success means Rhydd will be opened up to even more youngsters.

Strict rules mean those under eight are not allowed to camp there but, in future, they will be able to stay overnight in the new centre which includes `all mod cons' such as underfloor heating.

For more than half a century Rhydd Covert has been a thriving base for outdoor activities and a spiritual home for generations of young people in the Scout and Guide movements.

The site, next to West Midland Safari Park between Kidderminster and Bewdley, each year attracts thousands of youngsters from Wyre Forest and beyond.

While staying under canvas, they take part in activities including camping, archery, abseiling, climbing and shooting. For many it is their first taste of life away from home and the lessons and skills they learn are invaluable as they prepare for adulthood.

For years a nissen hut with outdated facilities housed and dined tens of thousands of young people staying in this idyllic forest setting.

But future generations will now have the benefit of a modern centre thanks to the generosity of the Wyre Forest community.

Shuttle/Times & News editor Clive Joyce said: "Operation Covert is the biggest appeal ever undertaken in this newspaper's 134-year history and it has been truly memorable.

"We have been overwhelmed by the number of people supporting us and we have made many friends along the way.

"Without the generous backing of all sections of the community we could not have achieved our goal. It was an ambitious target and to be opening the new building inside 20 months is truly amazing and a strong indication of the depth of generosity within our community."