 JOHN LENNON'S former Scout group is among the beneficiaries of a trust set up to benefit the people of one of Merseyside's most popular suburbs. The sale of the village club building in Woolton five years ago was bemoaned by many in the historic south Liverpool village. But it is now reaping annual dividends as the £300,000 earned from the sale has been carefully invested and the interest is being distributed annually to worthy village causes. The latest handout has enabled the 3rd Allerton Cub Scouts - once attended by John Lennon - to buy new gym equipment and basketball hoops, thanks to a £1,500 grant from the Woolton Educational and Recreational Charity. The local allotments group received £1,000, which they invested in a much-needed lawnmower. Menlove Allotments Society secretary Steve Finlay said: "It's been a real boost because usually any funding for the allotments has to come from us. "The allotments are great for the community, everyone who uses them lives within a couple of miles, and we have everyone from a 21-year-old student to a chap that's had his allotment for 50 years." Peter Eustance, chairman of the Woolton Village Residents Association, said: "We manage 85 acres of the Woolton Woods and Camp Hill countryside. "The charity's funding enabled us to regenerate the parkland and encourage more people to get out into the countryside. "We worked with the local Scout group and installed bird and bat boxes, and the wildlife in the area has doubled." He praised the community spirit of Woolton, saying: "I think it's because Woolton used to be a separate village before it was incorporated into Liverpool. "At Christmas, when there was snow on the hills here, dozens of people turned up and they were skiing together, with young and old all helping each other. It's just what you'd expect from a village." Several schools have also received grants, including one of over £3,000, which went to Much Woolton Catholic Primary for new IT equipment. Technology co-ordinator for the school Clare Woolfson said: "We were able to buy two interactive whiteboards, which we use in every subject, and which the children love." Woolton Cllr Malcolm Kelly, chairman of the Charity Trustees, said: "This scheme is now well established and many organisations in the village have benefited but we want to hear from any organisations in the Woolton area with ideas to improve education and leisure facilities in their community. * FOR details of how to apply, contact Robin Thomaides on robin.thomaides@liverpool.gov.uk | 
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