WHILE Scout Post services across the UK are closing down, Salisbury is bucking the trend as the local scout group has seen an increased sales of stamps in recent years.

Salisbury Scouts sell stamps from October to December for a bargain price of just 40p per stamp before delivering Christmas cards to the local area – all to raise funds for the Scout District, The Campsite Fund and the Scout Groups themselves.

For three days in December the Salisbury Scout HQ at Dennis Marsh House in Westminster Road is converted into a sorting office and becomes a hub of activity.

Once sorted the cards are distributed out to the local groups for final sorting and delivery.

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Scouts delivering the cards Picture: Mark Warner

Boxes for the cards to be posted are placed around the local area in locations such as the Tourist Information Office, Tesco on Southampton Road, Wadges Clocks in Fisherton Street, and Harnham One Stop.

The local Cubs and Scouts have an annual competition to design stamps for the following year.

John Wyeth, district explorer Scout commissioner and Scout Christmas Post organiser said: “Scouts have been delivering Christmas Cards in our area since 1994. Last year thousands of cards were delivered.

Cards being sorted at Dennis Marsh House Picture: Mark Warner

“I would like to thank all our supporters who purchased stamps and those that assist us with deliveries. It is time consuming by volunteers but a worthwhile event as it is a fund raiser and hopefully supports our community in a small way. So again, thankyou to everyone.”

Mark Warner, district PR and media team lead said: “Each year it is amazing to see the District Scout Headquarters (Dennis Marsh House) transformed into the main sorting office and becoming a hive of activity.

“Not only does this raise vital funds for the Scout Groups and District, but it is also a great activity to provide a service to the local community.”