Operation Covert

FOR Pete Ashcroft, the destruction of the centre at Rhydd Covert was all the more upsetting, as he was one of the determined volunteers who erected the building in 1971.

Now aged 66, the Kidderminster resident said he was devastated to see the building reduced to a blackened shell after decades of service.

He added: "Being involved so much in the building of it, you just think 'we put in all that work and it would have gone on for another 20 years without any problems'. It was such a shock because it was suddenly gone."

He explained: "When you look back over the years, you see people using it and think 'my goodness, it was really worth a lot to people'."

He described Operation Covert as a vital campaign.

"I think it is going very well, a lot of people have already spoken to me about it and have said it is worthwhile so I think we should do quite nicely."

In 1969, the camp's Home Guard shelter was torched by suspected vandals and Mr Ashcroft gathered a team of volunteers to set about replacing it with a former RAF Nissen hut.

He became site warden at Rhydd Covert in 1971 and the centre was opened the following year.

Operation Covert is aiming to raise £80,000 to build a state-of-the-art Scout centre for the 21st century.

It is a very different picture than a quarter of a century ago, when the hut cost £18 and a further £109 was spent on securing the structure in place.

It was subsequently added to with a brick extension to the rear, which was also ruined in the October 10 blaze.

Good start to appeal

A TOTAL of £400 has been pledged to Operation Covert by kind Wyre Forest residents since its launch seven days ago.

Donations to our appeal have flooded in to the Shuttle/Times and News offices in Blackwell Street and to Kidderminster & District Scout Council.

The appeal's ultimate goal is to raise £80,000 to replace the burnt out Scout centre at Rhydd Covert campsite near Bewdley.

Police believe the centre was torched by vandals on the afternoon of Sunday October 10.

Shuttle/Times & News editor Clive Joyce said: "We realise it is a pretty tall order to raise such a large amount but, with the early indications that people are rallying round, we feel we will achieve our aim."

District commissioner for the Scout council, Dave Denton, said: "It is so good that people in the community are actually starting to help us."

How you can help appeal

If you wish to make a donation to Operation Covert, you can:

l Call in at the Shuttle/Times and News offices in Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, during normal business hours from 9am to 5pm.

l Post donations to Operation Covert, c/o Oliver Evans, Shuttle/Times and News, 6 Towers Buildings, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster DY10 2DY. Please make cheques payable to Rhydd Covert Campsite.

l Post donations to Sam Rees, Rhydd Covert treasurer, 20 Wilton Avenue, Kidderminster DY11 5PR.

If you are organising an event or would like some advice on how to go about it, contact Oliver Evans at the Shuttle/Times and News on 01562 633340 or the newsdesk on 01562 633347.

Alternatively, email Oliver Evans at oliver.evans@midlands.newsquest.co.uk

Bonfire bonanza

A ROCK pub is to celebrate the launch of Operation Covert with a bang on Guy Fawkes night.

The Duke William, on the A456 at Callow Hill, is to host a bonfire and fireworks display next Friday, with proceeds towards our appeal.

Hot food will be served at the event, which will also feature a rodeo-style "bucking bronco" machine.

Landlord, Phil Lyndon, said: "We think it is a worthy cause and if we can raise a couple of hundred quid then it will have been very worthwhile."

The event begins at 7pm. Admission is free and donations to Operation Covert will be welcomed.