Guides in funding U-turn

The Girl Guides will have a celebratory floral display in Oswestry's Cae Glas Park after all, after town councillors reversed their controversial earlier decision not to help fund the display.

Oswestry Town Council members were criticised by Sally Symons, Girl Guides' Oswestry district commissioner, for rejecting their appeal for a floral display in Cae Glas Park to mark the centenary of Girlguiding UK in 2010.

Mrs Symons, in a letter to the council's amenities committee, said she was disappointed at the council's decision, particularly because members had supported a similar request from the Scouts for a display to mark their centenary in 2007.

She said the council's alternative suggestion that the Guides should contribute to the provision of a willow arch at the far corner of the park did not meet their objective of a visible and recognisable display.

The councillors had rejected the request because of the cost of the planting.

At a council meeting this week, it was revealed the cost to the taxpayer would be £1,150 although The Guides had agreed to contribute £250.

Councillor Christopher Schofield said, despite the cost, he felt the council should support the bid.

He said: "It is their centenary, a huge event. If we did it for the Scouts, we should do it for them as well."

Councillor Owen Jones agreed.

Councillor Martin Bennett said this year's council budget was already set, but the £900 cost to the council could be figured into next year's budget, because the centenary was not until then.

He said: "It is entirely appropriate to revisit our decision."