New Sea Beavers group launched

A Staffordshire sea scouting organisation has launched a new Sea Beavers group, allowing primary school-age sailors to sample life on the ocean waves.

And the move marks a further success for Wheaton Aston Sea Scouts, which was only formed three years ago but can now boast nearly 80 members.

Members of the group, formed by Steven Brown and Gary Audis, did range in age from 18 to eight. Now with the Sea Beavers, youngsters can join the group from the age of six.

At a recent service, skipper Cheryl Leo and chief Julie Brown were invested alongside the 13 new beavers by district scouting commissioner Val Wilson.

Over 50 parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents turned up to see the investiture at the Scout HQ in Wheaton Aston.

After the ceremony, the youngsters had a party to celebrate joining the scouting organisation. The Sea Beavers made their first public appearance on Sunday when they took part in the remembrance parade in Lapley with the rest of the Wheaton Aston Sea Scout Group.

Although new skipper Cheryl is new to scouting, she comes from very good scouting stock as her father and grandfather were scout leaders before her.

She said "It was an emotional evening with my father watching me get invested and following on with the family tradition and it was a great effort by all concerned to make the investiture evening go so well.

"The youngsters were well turned out and they looked really smart in their new uniforms."

Anyone wishing to join the group should call Julie on 01785 840500 during the day or 01785 841222 during the evening.

The group meets every Wednesday from 6pm to 7.15pm.