Scouts do their best to help communities

Hundreds of scouts from across Shropshire will be getting out and about this week for a modern-day 'bob-a-job' challenge.

Chief Scout, TV adventurer Bear Grylls, has challenged scouts everywhere to volunteer to help improve their communities for Scout Community Week.

The updated version of the traditional 'bob-a-job' week will see youngsters helping out in a variety of ways, from litter picking to gardening.

The Reverend David Cassidy, district commissioner for Tern Valley, which covers Telford, Newport and Market Drayton, said members of all ages were looking forward to getting involved.

"Some of the groups are going to take on large tasks like litter picking. Others are going to be doing odd jobs. But what I don't want is for people to confuse it with bob-a-job week," he said.

"Scout Community Week is all about being in the community, not asking for payment."

Brenda Cassidy, who runs the 1st Gobowen Scout Group near Oswestry, said her group was planning to work on a community allotment on Friday and take part in a litter pick around the village as part of the challenge.

"The week is taking the place of bob-a-job week. Individual scouts used to go out and do jobs for other people, but with society being the way it is now it's not safe for them to do that any more, so Scout Community Week is all about doing something as a group for the community," she said.

"We're going to get in touch with the local parish council and we'll be doing the litter pick with the community and members of all part of scouting, from the youngest six-year-old Bea- vers right up to the leaders."

Bear Grylls has praised all youngsters taking part in Scout Community Week, which runs until Sunday.

He said: "I am proud that so many Scout groups are taking part in Scout Community Week and I know they will have a really positive impact in their local areas."