a row has been sparked between a scout group and Holmfirth Vineyard owners after their son was taken off the waiting list.
Ian and Rebecca Sheveling, of Woodhouse Farm, have been left “disgusted” by letters sent from Alan Whitwam, scout leader of the 1st Holme Valley Scout group, who told them that their five-year-old Luca has been removed from the Holmfirth Beaver’s waiting list.
In the first of two letters, Mr Whitwam said that following talks with Alan Whiteley, the Scouts District Commissioner, it was decided to remove him due to “due to an apparent serious land dispute with one of our Beaver leaders, Christine Smith”.
However, Ian, who bought the land for the vineyard with Rebecca in 2007, rubbished the claims.
It is the latest incident involving the Woodhouse Farm couple, who Ian said have endured several attempts by a “small pocket of people” to shut them down.
They received the first letter on June 10, 18 months since they put Luca’s name down on the waiting list, and were hoping he would join the group when he turned six in January 2016.
The letter read: “The Scout Association is very aware and takes seriously issues of safeguarding and keeping its members safe.
“After discussions with the District Commissioner we are of the opinion that it would be unwise for your son to join Holmfirth Beavers and risk potential safeguarding issues for both Christine Smith and for your son.”
Further on, Mr Whitwam said that he would try to get Luca priority on another list in the district, which includes groups in New Mill, Netherthong, Honley and Meltham and that Luca would be allowed to join the Holmfirth cubs when he is eight, “where Christine Smith has no involvement.”
In a second letter sent on June 25 by Mr Whitwam following separate meetings with the couple and Christine Smith, he confirmed that the district Scouts’ Executive Committee had backed the original decision.
Mr Sheveling, said: “They have stooped to new lows – we’re disgusted.
“He has been thrown out of the group before he had a chance to join – it’s really below the belt.
“All his mates are on the waiting list and he is being unfairly left out.
“We have no land dispute with Christine Smith, nor have the scouts produced any information to back up her claim, but she seems to have had personal problems with us ever since we moved to Woodhouse Farm and created a successful business.
“We don’t have any issues with her, she just doesn’t like us being here.
“During the discussions one leader told me “that’s life.”
“We are not thinking about going down the legal route to try resolve this.”
The Huddersfield Examiner attempted to contact Alan Whitwam, Alan Whiteley and other members of the 1st Holme Valley Scouts association but received no reply.
