Scout group’s centenary celebrations

1st Westbury Scout Group started its Centenary Celebrations with a group camp at Tedbury Campsite in Mells, Somerset. 

Various celebratory acti-vities have been planned for the coming year, including a competition to design a special badge which will be made and given to the children to wear on their uniforms as well as more camps and adventures.

The scouting movement was founded by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 with the Westbury’s group being established in 1915. Today, 100 years on, it welcomes boys and girls aged 6 – 18 into all its sections offering a full programme of activities.

“On the group camp, about 50 intrepid and very wet adults and children set up a large mess/cooking tent and accommodation tents in the Friday night downpours,” said Diane Perrett, Assistant Beaver Scout Leader.

“Camp opened with the raising of the flag on the 10ft portable flagpole before a hike around the woods and quarry.  It stopped raining for about half an hour before we ‘dripped’ back to the mess tent for hot chocolate and cake before bed.

“Saturday morning dawned very early (thank you Cubs!) and amazingly it was dry.  The children and adults enjoyed a day of fire lighting and ‘smores’ cooking, a blind trail, woggle making and pioneering.  During the pioneering, we used wood and rope to make useful camp gadgets and practice tying knots.

“Lunch was some fantastic sausages followed by more cake. The afternoon was spent looking for wood for the team challenge.  The groups were asked to build something that would move a football as far as possible with one shot.   After a welcome tea of beef stew and apple pie, we all settled down around a giant campfire to sing popular songs and join in some funny dances.

“At 5.15am on Sunday morning the sun was beautiful; at 6.50am the torrential rain returned with a vengeance.  This did not stop the teams finishing their catapults and contraptions they had started the day before.

“Camp closed following lunch and we packed up wet tents and headed home – soggy and tired but happy!  We would like to thank Elliot’s Butchers for their support at this camp.

“We presently have spaces in our Cub section (8-10 ½ year olds). If you have a child who would like to join please contact Akela on 07518 793414.  To be added to the Beaver waiting list (6-8 years) please contact Kingfisher on 01373 823995 and for Scouts (10 ½ -14 years) and Explorer Scouts (14 – 18 years) please contact Skip on 07900 244104.  Come and join the fun and help us celebrate!”