Local MP celebrates 100 years of Scouting in Cheadle Hulme - Local Scout Group is one of the oldest in Britain

11.16.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2008

Mark helped the 1st Cheadle Hulme Scout group celebrate their 100th anniversary

Cheadle Constituency MP Mark Hunter visited local Scouts this Saturday to celebrate with them the centenary of scouting in Cheadle Hulme. Mr Hunter was invited to attend the 1st Cheadle Hulme Scout Group's party, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the group.

The celebration is part of a weekend of activities for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to remember the long tradition of scouting in Cheadle Hulme, but also to have a bit of fun.

Anthony Peate, the group leader and organiser of the event, gave Mark and his wife Lesley a tour of the proceedings, which included viewing memorabilia from the Cheadle Hulme Group's history. Incredibly, a Log Book of all local scouting activities since the late 1930s has been kept, making it possible to see what has changed and what has remained the same over the past 70 years.

Mark then joined in a famous tradition and ate supper cooked by the Scouts on their campfire - something that hasn't changed in 100 years! Speaking afterward he said, "Many people won't know that we in Cheadle Hulme have one of the oldest Scout Groups in the entire country - but it's something we can really be proud of as a community. Groups like the scouts (including of course, the Beavers and Cubs and Explorers) really help kids learn the some of the skills we really need in life - and that's not just how to start a fire. These kids and young adults learn to work together, work hard, and at the same time really enjoy being active - something I think we can all aspire to."

For more information about the 1st Cheadle Hulme Scout Group please contact Anthony Peate on 0161 485 5610.