RECENTLY 35 Cub Scouts from the Bude and Jacobstow Packs enjoyed brilliant weather as they competed in the annual raft race.
duckings. It resulted in a final victory for one of the teams from the Jacobstow Pack, which includes children from North Petherwin, Warbstow, Lesnewth, Otterham and Week St Mary, as well as Jacobstow.
The event, which is hugely popular with spectators on the canal banks, takes place close to the Bude Scout headquarters. Much local concern has been expressed recently, as the former North Cornwall District Council agreed a plan to sell the site of the headquarters and the Bude Band Hall, both of which were to be relocated to land adjacent to Morrisons supermarket.
The Higher Wharf has been home to the Bude Scouts and the Bude Town Band for many years, and the launching area by the Scout HQ has been used by Bude Canoe Club, Budehaven Community School and many other groups and individuals who fear that the loss of the site will adversely affect the many young people who use the canal for water sports.
Cornwall Council has said that it will honour the decision of NCDC, but local Scout and
community leaders are urging interested parties to write to North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson, and to make their views known to Bude-Stratton Town Council.
Mrs Daphne Dowling, the Jacobstow Troop's Scout and Cub Leader said: "Generations of children have enjoyed the facilities which the canal offers for activities like the raft race, and it would be really sad if there was no proper launching site and place for the young people to meet safely, so we very much hope that Cornwall Council may look carefully at their
decision, trying to secure young people's use of the canal for the future."