SCOUTING looks set to play a part in the future of the Wichelstowe and East Wichel developments after the newly formed group carried out their first investiture on Monday night.

The 3rd Swindon (Wichelstowe) Scout Group gave out neckerchiefs and badges to its troop of Scouts and Beavers, who have been turning out at the new club once a week since its September launch.

The ceremony, carried out at The Stoweaway community centre in East Wichel, provided the youngsters with the finishing touches to their uniforms – a neckerchief in blue and gold for the area they represent.

Nas Orchard, 54, of Park North, the group’s Scout leader, said the blue was to represent the canal at Wichelstowe and the yellow gold represented the old 3rd Swindon Scout Group, which is now defunct.

“With the new housing estate in this part of Swindon we felt it needed a Scout group,” said Nas, who has worked with various other Scout groups across Swindon.

“There had been another guy, Anthony West, wanting to start up a Scout group in the area for some time, but he didn’t know how to start one up, or he couldn’t start one on his own.

“I was happy to help and wanted to see something like this, so we started it together.

“It’s a new housing estate and there’s a need for the community to get together down here. Secondly, Titch - Anthony - and I have different ideas for what to do with this group following past experiences elsewhere.

“I’d like to get something sorted with taking them on camps abroad, which hasn’t been done anywhere in Swindon before.”

The group is made up of 10 Beavers, four Cubs and 10 Scouts, who all share the one evening’s session held each week.

Nas expects these figures to grow to 30, 30 and 36 respectively in the next year as more people move to the Wichelstowe and East Wichel areas.

“We still need adults to help out as new Scout leaders,” said Nas.

“It’s good fun, helping to develop the children and getting the community together.

“For the children, it gives them a sense of purpose.

“I love to see them grow up from small to middle adulthood, and be able to have experiences they might not have in school.”

For more information, call Nas on 07828 081189.