North Swindon MP Helps Cub Scouts Celebrate 100th Birthday

Justin Tomlinson MP has celebrated 100 years of the Cub Scouts by attending a party at Isambard School, as well as an event in Parliament held in the Speaker's Apartment.

The Cub Scouts is the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation. They offer 6 to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to make a positive impact in local communities. Scouts helps children and young adults reach their full potential. Scouts develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment.

The Cub scheme was started by The Boy Scouts Association in 1916, nine years after the foundation of the Boy Scouts, in order to cater to the many younger boys who were too young to be Boy Scouts. It was all started by Robert Baden-Powell, who was a British Army officer, writer and author of Scouting for Boys, which proved to be the inspiration for the Scout Movement. He was the founder the Boy Scouts Association as well as the Girl Guides.

Cub Scouts across the country held ‘Promise Parties’ where they renewed their promise on 16 December 2016 at 7.16pm (19:16) to commemorate the official registration date of the Cub Scout section.

In Swindon there are 14 different scout groups. A lot of their activities rely on the Scouts Christmas Post, some of which was sorted from Justin Tomlinson MP's office.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “I am very passionate in ensuring that young people are kept busy with different activities and extra-curricular endeavours. The scouts offer a range of activities for both boys and girls, whilst teaching valuable life skills. It is remarkable that the movement is celebrating its centenary this year and it is all down to the dedicated leaders who have volunteered their time over the past century to provide a great environment for kids. Here in Swindon we are lucky to have a number of groups who provide activities and who also contribute to local communities. I am very happy to have supported the Scouts post fundraiser and attended the promise party – what a year for our cubs and scouts!”