Scouts worldwide make pledge

Hundreds of scouts were up early and in the Ironbridge Gorge today to celebrate 100 years to the day since the scouting movement was born.About 200 youngsters from Shropshire, with visitors from across the country, were on the Iron Bridge at 8am to renew their promise to God and the Queen.

It was just one of hundreds of early morning sessions around the globe in which 28 million Scout Association members marked the centenary.

Roger Oakley, commissioner for the Shropshire, Severn and Teme district, said they had lined up excellently on the historic bridge and delivered their promises with pride.

"It was absolutely brilliant and a lovely morning for it," he said.

Other sessions around Shropshire included one on The Wrekin.

The events follow a weekend camp of traditional scouting activities at Stanley Hall, near Bridgnorth, for 350 youngsters.

Robert Baden-Powell founded the movement when his experience in the Army led him to run a camp for 20 boys from different social backgrounds at Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, in August 1907.

He went on to write his ideas in a book called Scouting For Boys and scouting was born. Scouts from more than 160 countries including the UK, Lebanon, Nepal, Rwanda, Serbia, Libya and Argentina, were due to take part in a sunrise ceremony on Brownsea at 8am.

They led scouts around the globe in re-affirming their scouting promise to build a tolerant and peaceful society.

Building work has transformed the original Scout Camp near the south shore of Brownsea into the Baden-Powell Outdoor Activity Centre.

Cardiff scout Jon Grimes, 19, said: "When he first ran the camp he brought together different social classes from public schools and less fortunate backgrounds. It was about crossing the social divide and making friends.

"Our camp this year will be about making friends between people from different cultures."

Activities and events have already been held across the UK and abroad.