TWO hundred and fifty cub scouts from all over Wharfedale attended an activity night at Curly Hill Campsite in Ilkley on Monday June 17.

The event was held to acknowledge all the support received from local businesses and trusts to improve the facilities at the campsite and hostel.

Improvements include: new toilet facilities for £85,000 (work is well underway); improved paths and drainage £4,000 and new seating for campfire circle £1,000.

These projects would not have been possible without the generous support of the following:private donations and fundraising activities; Ilkley Round Table; National Lottery - Awards for All; Foyle Foundation; Garfield Western; Spooner Trust; Rank Foundation; Tesco Bags of Help; Bernard Sunley; Ilkley Town Council and Ilkley Rotary Club.

Special thanks goes to: Sovereign Heath Care Community Programme; RE Chadwick Charitable Trust and the Sir George Martin Trust.

Chairman of the Curly Hill Committee, Jeremy Ince told the gathering the project was now fully funded thanks to the ‘last brick’ funding from Ilkley Rotary Club.

“Many thanks for helping us over the line,” he added. “Thanks to Tim Greenbank our contractor and the project designer Martin Peacock Architectural Services Ltd. None of this would have been possible without our fantastic team of volunteer wardens that have worked tirelessly to help ensure the facilities are kept in good order and to welcome our visitors upon their arrival. Thank you for all your help and support during the past year for helping to make Curly Hill Camp Site and Centre such a special experience for our many guests.”

Both the hostel and the campsite are available for use by scouts, guides, community groups, schools and other social purpose organisations. Both facilities are very popular and are available for hire at discounted rates which are set at a level designed to cover costs as well as provide a modest surplus to support ongoing maintenance and improvement.

About 30 per cent of bookings come from the Wharfe Valley however, it is also enjoyed by international visitors. It has been booked by groups from Argentina and by a foreign exchange school group from France. It is also used on a weekly basis by a local nursery for outdoor play.

Local schools use Curly Hill as a base for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and for many of the participants this is their first experience of outdoor adventure activities.

In total during the past 12 months Curly Hill has been booked by 114 groups generating £24,472 towards maintenance and district funds.

Future plans for improving the site include the replacement and upgrade of the gents indoor toilets as well as removal of some of the old trees and landscaping to the camping areas.

Curly Hill Scout Campsite and Activity Centre is located at 114 Curly Hill, Middleton, Ilkley, LS29 0DT. Visit www.wharfedalescouts.org.uk/curlyhill/ for more.