On Friday 1^st November burglars broke into the 1^st Caterham Scout Hut in Park Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill and stole equipment due to be used at the Round Table Firework Display on Saturday 2^nd November.   The burglary was discovered the next morning when organisers of the firework display entered the building to collect equipment for the display.

The items that were taken included a single burner, a big camp oven, a propane gas bottle, a generator, a portable amplifier, lighting equipment, three air rifles and an air pistol.

Neil Burtenshaw, Group Scout Leader at 1^st Caterham Scout Group said:  “The Round Table members are having to manage tonight without this equipment, but we may not be able to provide the hot mince pies for the switching on of the Cedar Tree lights on the 22^nd November if we cannot replace the camp oven in time.    It is a difficult item to get hold of.  We will also have to reorganise the scouts programme and will not be able to do the things we normally do for a while.  Fortunately, we had already held our Spooky Disco where we used the amplifier and lights.”

Neil added:  “We are one of the most active Scout Groups and we try to do as much as we can for the local community so when something like this happens it is like a kick in the teeth.  However, we will try and continue to provide a full programme of activities for the Scouts.”

For more information about 1^st Caterham (St. Mary's) Scout Group contact Neil Burtenshaw on 01883 348045.