Duke sees Scouts now have designs on website skills

10:06am Wednesday 7th June 2006

THE Duke of Kent was treated to a special demonstration by two Swindon Scouts as he opened a new IT office.

His Royal Highness is the patron of the British Computer Society.

And he officially opened the new BSC headquarters at North Star House in Swindon at a special ceremony yesterday The duke, who is also the president of the Scout Association, was then given a look at a Scout website by designers Ben Smith from the 18th Swindon Explorers, and Andrew Tedstone, from the 1st Purton and Lydiard Explorers.

Both boys have recently been awarded their Scouts' IT Activity Badge in a scheme sponsored by the BCS.

The badge, developed to improve youngsters' competency and confidence in IT, has been awarded to 140,000 Scouts in the last three years.

BCS spokeswoman Lynda Feeley said the Duke was extremely interested in the scheme.

"The opening commemorated the association between the Scouts and the BCS," she said.

"The Duke was very impressed with the number of youngsters taking the badge. He was particularly interested as he has a hat on both societies."