Scout membership at an all-time high in Shropshire

The popularity of the Scout movement in Shropshire is at an all-time high, new figures revealed today.

The figures from the Scout Association show the number of youngsters joining the organisation in the county has increased by more than 50 per cent in the last six years.

Shropshire now has 3,345 scouts, compared with 2,183 in 2006, the latest Scout Association Census has found.

A youngster from Shropshire is thought to be the first in his pack's 25-year history to get all the badges available to Cub Scouts. George Ellison, 10, is a member of the 1st Randlay Cub troop in Telford and got his final badge this month after learning Battjutsu, a martial art. And through gaining his badges, George has picked up other hobbies, including horse riding.

The figures showed a rise of nearly 50 per cent since 2006 in the number of young people aged between 14 and 18 joining the explorer scouts.

Meanwhile adult membership has also jumped by nearly 65 per cent in the last six years.

There are now 592 adult members compared to 360 in 2006.

According to Daniel Potter, county commissioner of Shropshire Scouting, the county has the highest growing scout population in the UK.

He said: "We are growing at a phenomenal rate and it's really nice that we are the highest growing county in the UK.

"There has been a year on year increase. Young people want to help others and get involved in scouting and adventure activities.

"Communities need scouting and its values," he added.

Mr Potter praised the number of adults coming forward to volunteer at groups across the county.

"We have had a nearly 20 per cent increase in volunteers in the last year.

"We are finding that lots of mums and dads who are bringing their sons and daughters to scouts are getting involved themselves."

The number of young female scouts in Shropshire now stands at 408, up from 248 in 2009.

One of Shropshire's oldest scout groups celebrated its 75th anniversary this month. The 26th Shrewsbury Scout Group, based in Harlescott, began in 1937.

By Catherine Ferris