HARTFORD Scout group has celebrated its centenary with a special presentation by its oldest member.

On Saturday, July 4, the centenary celebrations got under way for 1st Hartford Scout Group.

The momentous occasion was crowned by the oldest member of the group, Lord Rochester, who is President of Hartford Scouts and deputy president of Cheshire Scouts, who cut one of the four celebratory cakes.

Giving Lord Rochester a helping hand was one of the youngest members, Henry Hart, six.

Henry’s family have scouting connections with Hartford going back to 1980.

His father, Neil and mother, Cheryl, nee Owen, met when they were members of the Venture Unit.

The other cakes were ceremonially cut by former GSL Bill Jones, former Scout leader Eleanor Styles and newly appointed county commissioner Graham Phillips.

Other attendees welcomed by the current group Scout leader, Graham Wallace, were former chairman of the group, Clr Keith Musgrave and wife Mabel, retiring county commissioner Eddie Johnson, retiring district commissioner, Mike Gerrard and newly appointed district commissioner, Andrew Little.

With a ‘blast from the past’ a patrol of ‘old boys’ attended, including Walter Punshon who was the last member of Hartford Scout group to become a ‘King Scout’ way back in 1951.

Explorer Daniel Lewis, in his new role as consort to the Mayor of Northwich, escorted the Mayor, Clr Helen Burder, around the various activities set up and run by the different sections of the group.

The ‘monkey bridge’ and ‘slippery pole’ were the highlights of the afternoon together with stilt walking, skis, giant chess and draughts, mini pioneering and water activities.

The display of memorabilia and photographs of yesteryear proved very popular, as did the slide show depicting the wide range of activities undertaken by the group over the past 100 years.

Chairman Reg Chambers said: “It was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable occasion made possible by a marvellous team effort.

“It was a joy to see old scouters mingling with and interacting with, the youngest members of the group displaying the true spirit of scouting.”

Were you at the centenary celebrations? If so let us know at northwichguardian.co.uk/forum.