AN investiture with a difference took place last week for an Andover scouting group as parents were sworn in as colony assistants and leaders.

Eight parents were invested as assistant leaders and section assistants of the beaver colony at the 4th Andover (The Clatfords) Scouting Group in a unique move that has saved the section from closure.

When the former beaver leader retired earlier this year it left the future of the section hanging in the balance with no-one to take over the running of the colony which sees children – both boys and girls – aged six to eight meeting every Tuesday in Scout HQ in Goodworth Clatford.

It was then that a group of parents decided to undergo training to become assistant beaver leaders and section assistants, with the agreement of The Scout Association, which will enable the section to run more activities by having more hands on deck.

Brett Taylor, a father-of-two who works in cyber security and whose six-year-old son is a beaver was invested last week. He said: “I did it as a kid myself but I wanted to do something with my children and give them some opportunities to do outdoor activities and socialise with other children outside of school. We didn’t want to see it go, it’s about keeping scouting alive in The Clatfords.”

Teacher and mother-of-three, Liz Stavely’s eldest child is in cubs and middle child in beavers.

Explaining how the move will benefit the section, she said: “We have all got different skill sets so it makes it a bit more diverse and there will be more enthusiasm as we are all on a rota system, you don’t have to go every week.”

Recent colony activities have included a hike around Danebury Hill Fort, building a bug hotel and bouldering with visiting a buffalo farm, bushcraft and learning about fire safety planned in the coming months.

“I am absolutely delighted with the response that we have had from local parents,” said district commissioner Becky Ferris. “We are all volunteers in scouting and new, fresh enthusiasm really bolsters morale. Scouting gives young people so many wonderful life skills, increasing their confidence and their ability to problem solve and work in teams.”

Four more parents will be invested in the coming weeks.

The group meets from 6.15pm to 7.30pm every Tuesday at Scout HQ (behind Goodworth Clatford Village Club) with cubs meeting on a Wednesday and scouts on a Thursday. If you are interested in joining any of the groups, contact June Smith, 4th Andover group scout leader on 07950 763166.