CUB Scouts from across the borough celebrated the foresight of founder Robert Baden-Powell a century ago this year with a birthday celebration at Roves Farm over the weekend.

The eight to 10 year olds were invited to the Cub 100 celebrations, with some of the 600 cubs in Swindon journeying to Oxford, while others went to the popular farm in Sevenhampton for a weekend camp.

Activities on offer to the cubs ranged from archery to zorbing and many in between. Older children also got the chance to take part as well, with volunteer leaders running a weekend activity camp for 160 scouts, aged 10-14, earlier this month.

Richard Bennett, District Commissioner for Swindon Ridgeway Scouts, who spent the weekend running the district scout archery competition, said: “It’s fantastic to see volunteers giving up their weekends and evenings to provide unique experiences for young people of all ages in Swindon. Over the past year, scouts from Swindon have travelled as far as Holland, Wales, Kent, Dorset and France, which just goes some way to demonstrate the diversity of experiences that scouting can provide.

"But scouting is not just about fun and adventure. As well as having the chance to light fires, camp, cook, kayak and climb, they also learn valuable skills relating to independence, leadership and teamwork."

The Scouting movement has enjoyed a surge in popularity across the borough, with the groups recording greater numbers each year, now counting around 1,700 members. They have recently seen new sections opening in Blunsdon, Haydon Wick, Westlea, Abbey Meads and Wichelstowe, and plans are well developed for a new Beaver Colony to open in Old Town.

For more information on joinging residents north of the railway line should visit www.swindonnorthscouts.org.uk or those living south of the railway line should visit www.swindonridgewayscouts.org.uk or call 01793 295215.