Sea Scouts celebrate 100 years with host of awards

The 1st Felpham Sea Scouts have 100 members as the movement marks its centenary. It is the most active group in the Bognor Regis district.

Its strength is shown by the possibility of a waiting list being considered for the Scouts for the first time in a decade because of the number of young people waiting to join.

Group Scout leader Kim Rhodes said camp cooking equipment had been updated during the past year and a large mess tent bought with grant money.

Significant effort had also gone into refurbishing the Vicarage Lane scout hut with replacement windows and toilets and improving disabled access.

His progress report was given at the group's annual meeting on Friday, May 11.

It was the 85th such occasion. Few years could have seen such a packed range of activities for the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

These ranged from weekly meetings and sailing evenings to hikes and camps.

The young Beavers enjoyed visits to Tesco, where they followed the life of a can of baked beans, Bognor library and the town's football club.

Globally, they made contact with Joey Scouts in Australia, had an Australian Christmas party and celebrated Chinese New Year. Chief Scout bronze awards were presented to Nicole Embleton and Hannah Farrant.

The two Cub packs enjoyed the annual camp at the Spur campsite at Slindon. Other activities enjoyed were a swimathon, an outing to the Weald and Downland Museum, a carol service, winning the county box car rally and reaching the semi-final of a football tournament.

Five Cubs were awarded Chief Scout silver awards '“ Daniel Embleton, Oscar Ridout, Rachel Farrant, Lewis Powell and James Cullen.

The Scout troop had a busy and energetic year. Orienteering, hiking, cycling, kayaking and swimming were all enjoyed. But the sailing season had to be reduced because of gales.

Chief Scout gold awards were gained by senior patrol leaders Matthew Farrant and Oliver Lewis.

More volunteers are needed to continue this good work with the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Awards presented at the evening were:

Beaver Pack:

Beaver of the year '“ Matthew Bishop; Badger and Otto Special Awards '“ Jake Aldis-Hobbs and Holly Lewis.

Monday Cub Pack:

Cub Scout of the Year '“ Charlie Cockerday; Akela Special Awards '“ Megan N Lewis and Jack Patching.

Wednesday Cub Pack:

Cub Scout of the Year '“ Daniel Embleton; Akela Special Awards '“ Reavan Hackett and Connor Stagg.

Scout Troop:

Scout of the Year '“ Liam Champion; Sailing Award '“ Connor Skipping; Leaping Wolf Award '“ Lewis Powell; Certificates of merit '“ Tom Holland, Jack Cullen and Rachel Farrant.