FOUR Beaver Scouts from one of the newest ’colonies’ in Gloucestershire have been presented with a top award.

Sophie Blair, Tess Cardiff, Ben Gillingham and Josh Gillingham of 1 St Briavels colony were presented with the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award.

They were presented with certificates and badges by the Scouts’ chief commissioner for Gloucestershire, Mark Spiller who is from Woolaston.

The group started in September 2019 and Josh, Tess, Sophie and Ben were among the original members.

Beaveer leader Jill Howes said: "The beavers achieved their Bronze Chief Scout award which is the highest award a Beaver can earn.

"It is worked towards gradually during their two years at beavers.

"It involves completing all six challenge awards which are My Adventure, My Outdoors, Personal Challenge, My Skills, Teamwork and My World, as well as completing at least four other activity or stages badges.

"The award has involved each beaver trying something new, something they would not normally be interested in and trying things that may scare or worry them which may push them out of their comfort zone.

"Regular attendance and commitment has also been necessary to achieve the award.

"The beavers have great fun making new friends, trying new activities and learning some independence. A few of the activities which they have undertaken to earn their award included going on a night hike, camping in tents indoors - for most it was the first night away from home without a parent or family member - taking part in a water Olympics, learning how to ride their bike safely on a road, visiting a real beaver habitat, inventing machines and learning about the area we live in and meeting members of our community.

"1st St. Briavels Beavers only started in September 2019 and these four Beavers are part of our original members and are the first of our colony to achieve this award which is particularly impressive with the current situation as we had a short spell where we engaged via Zoom which was not ideal."

Beavers welcomes boys and girls between six and eight years old.