Cotswold Homes sales consultant Joanna Morris formally hands over to members of the 1st Hatherley Scout Group the new ridge tent sponsored by the company.

A plan to replace the £600 ridge tents used for camping by Cheltenham’s 1st Hatherley Scout Group is now underway thanks to Cotswold Homes Ltd.

The firm, which is building nine three-bedroom homes for sale on its Cotswold Grange development taking shape in Hatherley’s Alma Road, pledged support for the local scouts whose HQ is nearby in Penrith Road.

Cotswold Homes has provided match funding of £300 which, with £300 raised by the 1st Hatherley Scout Group, enabled the scouts to buy the first of three new ridge tents needed to replace old ones.

‘Our scouts love camping,’ says the group’s leader, Nigel Wachs who has been a scouting enthusiast from an early age. ‘Popular locations include the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds near Banbury.’

Established around 60 years ago, the 1st Hatherley Scout Group today comprises more than 150 local young people aged between six and 18. They include Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.

Praising Cotswold Homes’ support, Nigel says that he hopes more local businesses will follow the housebuilder’s example by providing the financial help his scouts need to buy the additional tents for use this summer.

For those seeking more permanent accommodation, Cotswold Grange is proving popular with all but two properties already reserved off-plan by early buyers. They include young families as well as couples looking to downsize.

‘This means that would-be buyers need to act quickly to be sure of securing one of these properties,’ say Terri.

To help them, a dedicated marketing suite and showhome are open Friday to Monday from 10 am to 5 pm. Visitors can inspect the plans for the new homes as well as the variety of finishes available for kitchens, tiling and flooring.