THE Mid-Devon Advertiser series is recognising the success and achievements of the Teignbridge Scout movement and its future plans by having a column on the second Friday of the month, to report on the various groups across the district.

While young people take so many knocks, unfortunately it has always been the few who give youngsters a bad name, scouting in Teignbridge is enjoying a golden era.

Scouts, cubs and beavers can hold their heads high in the finest tradition of the movement.

Such is the growing popularity, thanks to a hardworking, hands-on leadership and volunteer helpers in all sections, the movement's membership has grown to record levels.

It is estimated that number stands at 1,068, some 75 up on the highest previously recorded in the 1984 census, and the aim is 1,150 members by next year's census.

Teignbridge District Scout Commissioner Alan Partridge believes this will be exceeded by the end of January, in an area which has been judged top for growth out of 811 districts in the UK.

That is a feather in the cap for all involved but they are not sitting on their laurels and continue to look at new projects and activities.

1st ASHBURTON SCOUT CUB PACK – The pack which closed down some 16 years ago has restarted with 11 new members.

The Scout cubs, aged between eight and ten, were invested on Monday before parents, the mayor of Ashburton, Cllr Andrew Prince, and the town's bailiff Jeanne Distin. More are expected to join in the coming weeks.

The pack was forced to close due to the retirement of the then leader. Now three new leaders have come forward to run it.

A year ago the Beaver Colony was formed – the first in Ashburton. It is scouting's youngest branch for boys and girls aged six and seven, with its motto of Fun and Friends.

The Beavers meet in The Old Gymnasium, Woodland Road, for an hour each week. It is so popular that no more members can be accepted until another adult leader is found.

Anyone wishing to help can telephone Jerome Shapland, group chairman, on 01364 642683, or email [email protected]">[email protected].

CHUDLEIGH SCOUTS – The group is in the middle of a fundraising campaign for its new headquarters and has asked businesses to support the project.

Richard Keeling and his wife Debbie were quick to start the ball rolling and praised the scouts and the hard work of their leaders.

Anyone who would like to support the project can contact Darren Marquand, Scout Leader, at [email protected]">[email protected].

Chudleigh Town Council is also presenting the scouts with a £100 grant.

1st NEWTON ABBOT SEA SCOUTS – The group, believed to be the oldest in the country, is celebrating its centenary with an open invitation to anyone to attend its scout hut headquarters in Homers Lane, Kingsteignton, on Sunday, October 18.

There will be photographic and memorabilia displays of the group down the decades. A table top sale, cake stalls, a barbecue and refreshments are also being organised. There is plenty of free parking.

The open day begins at 2pm and offers residents the opportunity to chat to the group's leaders and watch some of the children enjoying different activities.

At the Homers Lane headquarters there are Beavers (six-eight years), Cubs (eight-ten years) and Sea Scouts (ten-14 years).

More helpers and leaders are needed to give the youngsters further activities.

According to records held by the Scout Association in Gilwell, the 1st Newton Abbot Scout Group is regarded as the oldest in the country.

It has operated from various locations in the Newton Abbot area and is now well established in its Homers Lane headquarters.

In 1909 it received a mention in the scout magazine and was congratulated for organising a large sports event for all Devon county scouts. The coordinator was Mr W Townsend, of Highweek Street.

Six years later it became registration 557 as the Newton Abbot Haytor Troop, and in 1919 the Newton Abbot Scouts attended the first National Scout Rally at London's Crystal Palace, where they won the Baden-Powell Challenge Shield.

The following year, on March 1, Robert Baden-Powell and his wife Olave visited Exeter to personally present the shield. More than 400 Devon scouts were on parade and Newton Abbot stood guard of honour. The shield was also Newton's to keep.