PM joins Scouts around campfire (From The Advertiser Series)

PM joins Scouts around campfire

11:10am Thursday 26th April 2007

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HUDDLED around the campfire frying sausages for lunch, the Prime Minister cut an unusual figure among a troop of Scouts last week.

Mr Blair took a break from political and business engagements to help Scouts in County Durham celebrate the centenary of the movement.

Members of the 2nd Bishop Auckland Scout Group invited him to join a 100th anniversary party in the grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel, in Sedgefield.

Youngsters told him about Scouting in the twenty-first century, with an introduction to the troop's new global positioning system, which is used to plan hiking trips and expeditions.

Mr Blair then took a trip down memory lane when he saw traditional Scouting activities such as camping, cooking on an open fire and games are still enjoyed.

He revealed to leaders that he was once a Cub Scout himself - with the 10th Durham Choristers Pack when he was a pupil of The Choristers School, in Durham.

Mr Blair spoke to members about the importance of positive youth activities such as Scouting at a time when young people are often given a poor image.

He said: "One of the great things about Scouts is that you are out in the open air, in the countryside, having respect for the environment. It helps make rounded young people who can work with others and provides good opportunities.

"Employers want young people with qualifications and exams but what is more important is that they get on with other people."

Group leader Gary Ingham said: "A lot of the traditional skills still exist - camping and working together in groups. The difference is we have boys and girls now, though Bishop Auckland is so full there are only girls in the Explorers group at the moment.

"We have to change with the times and introduce new technologies and activities but the traditional values are still important."

Mr Blair also presented Jordan Hymas, 13, of Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, with one of the movement's highest honours - the Chief Scout's Gold Award.

Jordan said: "That was really good, not many people can say the Prime Minister presented them with an award.

"I have been in Scouts for eight years and think it is great. It gets kids off the streets, doing adventure activities, first aid, survival skills and all sorts of really good stuff you can use in the future."

* A former Guide who started the first Beaver Scout colony in the Bishop Auckland district has been given one of the movement's highest honours.

Pat Bake, from West Auckland, was awarded the Silver Acorn on St George's Day recognising her dedicated service to the Scout movement over the past 30 years. With her husband John, she was invited to Windsor Castle at the weekend for a service in St George's Chapel attended by the Queen as part of the annual St George's Day gathering of Scouts from all over the world.

Mrs Bake grew up in Coundon and was a Queen's Guide before becoming a Guide leader. In the mid-1970s she became involved with a Scout group in Bishop Auckland where she was secretary for six years.

She launched the district's first Beaver colony in St Helen Auckland in 1983. She went on to help others start up and run other groups in Bishop Auckland, Ferryhill, Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield and Spennymoor.

Her elder daughter, Claire, is now her assistant at St Helen Auckland, while Mr Bake is also a Scout leader.

Mrs Bake said: "Scouting is a great organisation for children because it develops them into better citizens."

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