Twenty Scouts from the 1st Ben Rhydding Group have enjoyed a weekend away at the group’s hostel Hag Dyke on the hills above Kettlewell.

Despite the cold January wind and rain the Scouts enjoyed a weekend of activities in the Yorkshire Dales. One of the highlights was the traditional New Year meal, which was made extra special because of some important presentations that were made to Leaders, helpers and Scouts.

Roger Bannister, the District Commissioner for Wharfedale Scouts, was invited to present one of the Scouts, Nea Weston, with her Chief Scout’s Gold Award. The Gold Award is the highest award in the Scout section and takes a lot of hard work and commitment to achieve.

Roger also presented Robin Beaumont, the acting Group Scout Leader of 1st Ben Rhydding with the Chief Scout’s award, for service in recognition of his 40 years’ service to Scouting as a Leader.

Roger said: “One of the most enjoyable parts of my role as District Commissioner is to be able to recognise the achievements of young people and Leaders.”

Also at the meal, Robin Beaumont presented Peter Smith with a ‘thanks’ award to recognise Peter’s work in researching and preparing a history of Hag Dyke.

Hag Dyke has been run by the 1st Ben Rhydding Group since 1947 as a hostel for Scouts and other young people. Peter’s important work has recorded not only the developments by the Group during the last 67 years but also some fascinating information about Hag Dyke’s earlier life as a working farmhouse.