Scouts hold centenary party

From tree planting to abseiling, youngsters will be taking part in a range of activities to mark 100 years of scouting.

And at 8am tomorrow all will join together, in a move that will be mirrored across the world, to take part in a series of special sunrise ceremonies to mark the centenary and renew scouting promises.

In Wolverhampton, around 200 youngster are expected to descend on Molineux and when the clock chimes at 8am the sound of a rare horn will resonate through the stadium as scout leaders recreate Lord Baden Powell's launch of the movement.

When he set up the first-ever scout camp on Brownsea Island in 1907, he blew a note through a kudu, or antelope's horn, to mark its launch and organisers have managed to get hold of one of the rare horns from Israel.

Rachel Heyhoe-Flint, Wolves director and former girl scout, said: "We are obviously thrilled to be able to support this event and are all looking forward to it."

Youngsters from scout groups across Halesowen have gone further afield to join the party, travelling down to Essex to take part in the World Scout Jamboree with thousands of other teenagers from across the world.

Meanwhile, more than 100 scouts in Kinver have celebrated the release of new stamps commemorating the anniversary of the movement.

The scouting stamps were officially launched at Kinver Scout Camp and youngsters unveiled a giant version of one of the new designs.

The set of six stamps, now on sale, reveal a selection of the many achievements of an organisation which continues to shape the lives of millions of young people around the world.

Royal Mail spokesman Mike Dalton said: "Scouting's ethos of personal development, teamwork and self reliance is as relevant for youngsters today as it was back in 1907."

And scouts in the village will be joined by their counterparts from Wolverhampton, Telford and Malvern at The Compa Scout Camp where the anniversary celebrations will continue. They will be taking part in activities including climbing, abseiling and archery during their stay in Kinver. In Sedgley, a troupe will be marking the big occasion by hoisting a flag up the town's flagpole.

Youngsters will gather in the town centre at 6.30pm tomorrow to celebrate the centenary.

They will also release 100 balloons for world peace and afterwards they will plant a tree outside their HQ in Ladies Walk.

The tree, a Japanese Maple, will be planted by the group's oldest leader, 84-year-old George Cox, and its youngest member, five-year-old beaver scout Rebecca Wright.

The group was formed in 1910 and is one of the most successful groups in the Black Country, with more than 100 members and its own purpose-built headquarters.

Around 100 of Wolverhampton's North District scouts will also be joining the sunrise celebrations at Northycote Farm by renewing their scout promises before tucking into a tasty breakfast and taking part in a range of exciting activities.

Dozens of beavers and cubs from across the region are also taking to their tents tonight to Dudley Zoo for a sleepover to mark the centenary celebrations.

The group will join twilight adventures with costume character Dr Dudley at the popular tourist attraction before settling down for a sleepover in the castle courtyard.