Express & Star

Scout leader Peter clocks up 50 years

He started out as a fresh-faced cub and rose through the ranks of scouting to become a leader.

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Now Peter Bates is celebrating 50 years of teaching boys how to read maps and tie knots.

And at the age of 70, the 1st Norton Canes Scout Group veteran has no intention of retiring.

"It's kept me young," said the retired carpenter form Hednesford who first joined Cannock St Luke's cubs, which used to meet at a wartime decontamination hut just off the town centre.

When that closed in the mid-1960s he transferred to a new scout group at The Willows in Longford Road, Cannock, until that, too, closed and he moved to Norton Canes scouts where he has been an inspiration to generations of adventure-mad young boys for more than half a century.

Group Scout Leader David Cross described his service as 'really outstanding.'

He said: "Pete is always cheerful and considerate. He is an outstanding Scouter and has a fantastic approach to our youngsters in the group. He really embodies what scouting is about and we consider ourselves in the group lucky to have his experience."

The group held a small celebration to mark Peter's milestone, presenting him with a cake and, from group headquarters, an engraved watch and special certificate in honour of his long service.

Peter said: "It was a right surprise. My wife Barbara said she was going to visit friends and then turned up with the family on the night."

The father-of-two still volunteers on a weekly basis and says scouting has not changed much over the decades.

"It's still mainly about friendship, getting outside and camping. We used to go for week-long camps at seaside resorts mainly on the Welsh coast when I was a boy, although these days, with time commitments being more pressing, it tends to be weekend camps.

"I still enjoy it and I'd like to carry on as long as I'm fit enough. My wife gives me plenty of jobs in the garden so that keeps me active."

Anyone wanting to find out more about joining the group can visit www.1stnortoncanesscoutgroup.co.uk.

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