Volunteers challenged to save heritage

Scarborough Council’s community environment team has issued the call following a makeover of one of the Victorian shelters in the Spa Gardens on South Bay.

The borough is already held up as a national leader in volunteering, with residents of all ages contributing more than 16,000 hours sprucing up their communities last year.

Now as the council cuts start to bite, more helpers are being urged to come forward.

Team manager Roger Burnett, said: “We are always looking for new volunteers to join volunteer groups across the borough and would welcome anyone who can spare an hour or two to help keep their towns and villages looking beautiful.

“But we would welcome anyone with different skills and we are happy to welcome people to groups who are keen to tackle a wide range of tasks.”

Today’s makeover of the Spa Gardens shelter is being undertaken by 10 engineers from satellite company BSkyB, who are working in the town, as part of its community help scheme.

They will paint the shelter and it will then be given a final top coat from local volunteers of the Friends of South Cliff and Scarborough in Bloom.

The engineers will also undertake a beach clean with local volunteers.

Mr Burnett said: “They certainly made a big difference.”

For further details of volunteering opportunities with community groups across the borough, call the community environment team, on 07961 966617.