A VARIETY of completed challenges have led to Scout Bill Bennett, 14, receiving his Gold Chief Scout.

Bill earned his award, the highest a scout can achieve in his age group. as a member of 10th Chippenham Air Scouts and said: “I’m so thrilled to receive this. It’s been challenging and very exciting.

“Some of the challenges I completed were piloting a powered aircraft, a 48-hour expedition over the Mendip Hills and learning life skills such as learning to cook and clean. I helped with the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and attended a creative writing course about the Arctic Convoys of World War II and enjoyed it all.”

Scout Leader Chris Jones said: “It was a fantastic evening, an opportunity for the scouts to meet the Queen’s representatives in Wiltshire and to learn what the role of the Lord Lieutenant and her Deputies is. It brings the Queen closer to the Scouts, who, as part of their Scout Promise, as they swear to do their ‘duty to the Queen’.

“The award requires a scout to put themselves out and take as many different opportunities as possible."

Bill received his award from the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton. Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Victoria Nye also spent the evening with the Air Scouts learning about some of the things they do and witnessing how young people can represent themselves and have fun in Scouting.

The Air Scouts gave a presentation on their highlights over the past 12 months which has included sleepovers, flying, shooting and working with the Royal British Legion.