A FIVE mile ride around the Forest earned 60 Cubs their cycling badge on Saturday (May 18).

The Cubs, accompanied by around 25 adults, started their ride at Heart of the Forest School near Speech House, before heading off in groups at 10 minute intervals towards Mallards Pike along cycle paths.

Cubs from 1st Clearwell & Sling, 1st Royal Forest (Tuesday), 1st Ruardean, 1st Newent and 1st Aylburton & Lydney followed a map to their destination

One of the organisers, district cub leader Ang Healy, said: “It was a great day, the rain held off and all the Cubs and adults really enjoyed themselves.

“All the bikes were checked and the cubs’ cycling ability was assessed before they started off.

“Part of the cyclist badge was to draw a bike safety poster. We had lots of entries but the winners were Rosie Wilman and Erin Dunton - both cubs from 1st Ruardean Cubs. We’d like to say well done to both girls as their posters were very eye-catching.

“Many thanks to Heart of the Forest School for letting us use their facilities and Ian Scott, from the school, along with all the extra adults, who helped to assess the cubs and their bikes.

“We’d also really like to sat thank you to the leaders and Severn Steel Explorers, a new Scout unit from Blakeney, who were marshals and helped out at the event. We couldn’t have done it without them.

“It was a really good event. Everyone had a great day out in the fresh air.”