A NEW look is on the way for the headquarters of the 5th Deal (Sholden) Scout Group.

The changes follow more than £8,800 being granted to the youth organisation from the Bridging the Gap fund.

District council cabinet member Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, from Deal, welcomed the decision to help the Scouts.

The cabinet member for community, citizenship, youth and sport said: “The council is very pleased to be working with the Coalfield Regeneration Trust to bring much needed funding for projects that are very often led by volunteers.

“These projects sometimes need a financial helping hand to enable them to achieve their aspirations.

“We are delighted to see communities benefiting from Bridging the Gap funding and would encourage any organisation that has a project that would benefit from this funding to come forward and let us know.”

Bridging the Gap is a Coalfield Regeneration Trust funding scheme administered in partnership with the community development team at the district council.

District council press officer Andy Steele said: “It offers funding between £500 and £10,000 to local groups and organisations looking to expand, improve or offer new services to residents of the former Kent Coalfield areas.

“The award to the 5th Deal (Sholden) Scout Group will help towards the refurbishment of toilet facilities and will enable the hall in The Street to be used for more events by the community.

“Further funding is available for voluntary and community organisations in the coalfield areas and local groups are invited to apply.”

For more information about Bridging the Gap funding contact Una Mills on 01304 872066.

uE06E The Kent Coalfield had four pits and the final one closed in 1989 when production ended at Betteshanger Colliery. Chislet was the first to shut in 1969, followed by Tilmanstone in 1986 and Snowdon the following year.