Duddon scouts 'on a mission' to protect wildlife in Dalton

Nick Perie, the Mayor for Dalton with Newton, visited the Duddon Scouts to assist them in building bird and bat boxes.

The work has been funded by Councillor Tony Callister and is part of a wider project spearheaded by the town council to promote the safeguarding of the local environment.

The Scouts with the results of their efforts (Image: Nick Perie)

Councillor Perie said: "My team was excellent and did fantastically, listening and learning.

"Also, one of the scouts wanted to meet the Mayor and asked about the chains and I was happy to talk to him and explain what the chains were all about."

Both the Scouts and Guides have been working to make the boxes, with Councillor Callister and Councillor Ann Thurlow also lending a helping hand across the week.

Multiple evening groups were spent testing the Scouts' woodworking skills (Image: Nick Perie)

"It was a fantastic night and an example of community working at its best," Councillor Perie added.

The mayor also used the visit to learn more about the importance of these local groups, meeting with the Girl Guides leader Alison Wall.

Councillor Perie explained: "Alison told me being in the guides builds confidence and she loves seeing the children develop and form friendships.

"She has seen a lot of children over the years and is always amazed to see the children of the children she has taught."

Alison Wall helping some of the kids build the new boxes (Image: Nick Perie)

Mrs Wall has been with the Guides since she was eight years old and has worked as a leader for 44 years now in Dalton.

At present there are 15 guides, 12 Brownies and four Rangers in the 1st Dalton St Mary's Guide Group.

Councillor Perie added: "Guiding started in 1918 and the 1st Duddon St Mary's group started in 1920 so that's another of Dalton's groups that is over one hundred years old which is fantastic."