A COMMUNITY group will be lighting up the streets of Rhayader on Wednesday with an illumination parade.

Rhayader Beavers are putting on a light show night ride from 5.30pm on January 17.

Come and join the fun and decorate your bike, scooter or buggy and help light up the town, while also helping support the 1st Rhayader Scout Group, who are trying to raise funds and improve facilities for local children.

Gemma Patt, the Beaver section leader, said: “The Rhayader Beavers (Scouts) are doing a community bike illumination parade. We are hoping the community will join in.”

The event has been organised as there was no tractor run this year and the group thought it would be a good way to still highlight the fundraising effort.

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The 1st Rhayader Scout Group, which includes Rhayader Beavers and Cubs, want to build a sensory area for children that have developmental and learning challenges.

The group formed a fundraising committee last year, tasked with coming up with events to both entertain the community and raise much-needed funds.

However, that task was made all the more difficult when a leak from a burst pipe was discovered at their scout hut, located at the pavilion in Rhayader’s Waun Capel Parc area.

“As we have several children with a range of developmental and learning challenges, one of the aims for the group is to build a sensory area that can be used in conjunction with the scouting programme to support their progress,” said Gemma previously.

“This, along with other plans, means we must continuously work to raise funds.”

The burst pipe occurred in the pavilion, which serves as the scout hut, and while the damage to the actual building has been delt with the carpets and paintwork was also damaged, meaning the scout group has had to fork out for additional costs themselves.

Group leaders had organised a ghost hunt event at Rhayader’s Crown Inn during July with Powys Paranormal, but that was sadly postponed.

“We are trying desperately to raise some money,” said Gemma, who is trying to raise the profile of the group.

County Times: Come and join the fun and decorate your bike, scooter or buggy. Come and join the fun and decorate your bike, scooter or buggy. (Image: Rhayader Beavers)

The 1st Rhayader Scout Group was re-formed in 2019, with just two Cubs and four Beavers, thanks to the dedication of group Scout leader Keith Fielding, assisted by one parent.

Keith relied heavily on parents to help with Beaver sessions until 2022 where Gemma took on the role of section leader.

This allowed Keith to shift his focus on setting up a Rhayader Scout group, something that the town had not had for a number years.

“Today, with the continued support of parents, new leaders and the community as a whole, we provide a rich, exciting and diverse array of activities to almost 50 young people between the ages of 6 and 14 from Rhayader and the surrounding communities, with the dedicated support of 14 volunteers,” said Gemma.

Other fundraising events held have included a vintage fair teddy tombola and cake sale, while the group also had a presence at Rhayader Carnival at the end of July, hosting archery and other fun activities.

Gemma added: “We need all the help we can get at the moment.

“We are now the largest group that supports children out of school in Rhayader so any extra publicity, public support and following we can get would be really appreciated.”

For more information about the group and its activities, email bsl@rhayaderscouts.co.uk. For more on the Rhayader Scout Group, visit their Facebook page or website, at rhayaderscouts.co.uk.