SCOUTS in Aberystwyth claim they have been told by the council to leave the meeting place they have used for more than 20 years.

Penparcau Scouts claim Ceredigion County Council’s instructions to move out of the Penparcau Community Education Centre, which is on Llwyn yr Eos School grounds, came “without notice or consultation”.

And to add insult to injury, the council is accused of removing the group’s tables and chairs, and disposing of their posters, including a behavioural chart which encourages good behaviour among the various scout groups.

The Scouts believe the centre, which is enjoyed by more than 200 six to 18-year-olds who attend the Cubs, Beavers, Scouts, Explorers and Girl Guides, is to become a pupil referral unit.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, Charlie Kingsbury, who is one of the Explorer Scout leaders and the Liberal Democrat town councillor for Penparcau, labelled the council’s handling of the situation “disgusting”.

Last week, Aberystwyth Town Council wrote to the strategic director of education, Barry Rees, to express councillors’ dismay at the move.

And after a meeting with the Group Scout leader, Keith Jones, last Wednesday, the county council’s head of learning services, Matthew Brown, apologised to Mr Jones and told him the group could stay.

See this week’s Aberystwyth edition for the full story, in shops and online now