CHRIS HUHNE MARKS A HUNDRED YEARS OF EASTLEIGH SCOUTING

10.17.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Jun 2009

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne congratulated the thriving scout movement of Eastleigh and District on achieving their first hundred years.

In a special two-day camp at Lyons Copse near Wickham, more than 400 Eastleigh and District scouts celebrated the notable centenary of one of the first scout groups in Hampshire, set up in 1909.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement and a Hampshire resident, pioneered the first scout camp on Brownsea Island in Poole harbour in 1907. Eastleigh and District was the third group to be recognised in Hampshire.

Chris Huhne, who started the tug of war in the afternoon games, said: "Scouting has a long and marvellous tradition on Eastleigh, and it is great to see how thriving the scouting movement is in our area.

"The centenary camp, which had a Roald Dahl theme, was great fun for all the participants. The games started with everyone present tying a friendship knot, and continued with races and competitions.

"There was also an interesting display of birds of prey including the fastest bird in the skies, radio work, archery and shooting.

"It is no wonder that there is a waiting list for children - both girls and boys - to join the scouts, and the key constraint now is the number of adult volunteers to run groups."

The centenary camp was also attended by the Mayor of Eastleigh Cllr Pam Holden-Brown and her consort Mr Terry Holden-Brown and by Hampshire County Commissioner Dick Whittington of Eastleigh.