GWENT Scouts have followed the demand of their founder Lord Baden-Powell that Scouts should 'roll up their sleeves and get on with the job'.

Through the rigours of winter and often working at night Scout leaders and helpers have rebuilt the toilet block at Islwyn Scout Parc near Newbridge, installed new showers and spruced up the entire complex.

"And it's all been done on a shoestring.

"Volunteers have done exactly what our founder said they should do" said the Parc's commissioner, Mr Clive Harrison.

"The work has been carried out over the past eight months often under appalling conditions.

"It would have cost tens of thousands if we'd had the contractors in.

"As it was over £1000 in materials was donated to us by supporters and Scout leaders provided the skill and the muscle."

Alan 'Oz' Gray a leader with the 1st Abercarn Troop was on hand to see Mr Laurie Young, 1st Caerphilly Group manager present ther centre woth a granite plaque the centrepiece of which is the Scout 'arrowhead' badge.

"Some of the working was pretty gruelling but we sorted out the technical problemns as we came to them, even if it meant working by torchlight," Mr Gray said.

His friend Iain Ormrod, area manager for La Farge Quarries donated building materials after he saw how enthusiastic Scouts and Cubs were after a quarry visit.

"The youngsters wanted to ride in the trucks and see precisely how things are done" Mr Ormrod, from Caerphilly said.

"Once you take minerals from the ground you can't put them back so this is our way of putting something back "It was impossible not to get involved when I saw how enthusiastic and how can-do the Scouts are."

Present at the unveiling of the completed work was Mr Cyril Hardwick who has been involved in Scouting since before the war and helps run the 3rd Newbridge Cubs.

"This is fantastic. The Scouting spirit is very much alive" he said.

Mr Young said the plaque was a 'thank you' from all Scouts who would benefit from the improved facilities.

Islwyn Scout Parc opened in the late 70s when two fields were bought by the Movement. A headquarters and activities block were later added, the money being raised by Scouts themselves.

Islwyn Scout Parc is used by thousands of campers each year and is open to youth movements other than the Scouts and Guides.