A PETITION is gathering pace to try and reinstate the 1st Hurst Green Scout Group.
The online petition, which already has 488 names, calls on the Scout Association to re-establish the group, and to investigate why it was closed in the first place.
Just 18 months after its new £270,000 hut was officially opened, the group's headquarters off Mill Lane remains shut and padlocked.
The group was closed down by the Scout Association last month after five of its leaders were dismissed, leading to membership numbers dwindling. Petitioner Peter Currell, from Warlingham, wrote: "I was at the opening of the centre and was so excited that such a fabulous facility was available for the community.
"I was shocked when I heard of its closure.
"It would be such a shame if the young people miss out on the enjoyment and experience I had of camaraderie and learning."
The petition has been backed by people from as far afield as Cambridge, Birmingham and even Germany.
Scout Association spokesman Chris Foster said: "We never close down a Scout group without good reason. The safety and wellbeing of our youth members is vitally important and we require all our adults who volunteer to follow our rules laid out in our governing documents.
"We would welcome the opportunity to work with the community in Hurst Green to reopen a new Scout group there in the future. Anyone interested in supporting the development of Scouting should call 0845 300 1818."
The petition can be found online at www.change. org/en-GB/organisations/first_hurst_green_scouts
