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Woggle lot he's got!
Leighton Buzzard Scout cleans up
A record breaking Cub Scout from Linslade has gained every possible badge to earn his place in history.
Remarkable 10-year-old James Ward, of 1st Linslade Scout Group, is the first Scout in Bedfordshire to earn all 33 award badges – and only the fourth in the UK.
James has taken part in a massive amount of activities in order to secure his name in the Scouting record books, starting his mammoth haul two years ago with a fitness challenge.
Next came his water activities badge, a stage two swimmer award and a test of seafaring skills in a kayak.
James said: "I really enjoyed getting all the badges. The fitness challenge was good. We had to improve the number of jumps and running steps we did over a few weeks as well as other fitness activities. This was the first badge we worked for when I joined Cubs. The other badges were fun, especially water activities and camping."
The multi-talented Cub Scout is an astronomer, takes part in martial arts, performs scientific experiments and skates.
It was earlier this year, to the astonishment of his parents, that James learned horse riding and animal care as he targeted his equestrian badge, which he describes as the probably the hardest challenge.
"That's when I knew he was going for the full armful," said his mother Maxine, who has sown all but one of her son's many badges on to his uniform.
Maxine added that she is "very proud" of her son, who only set out to get the clean sweep of badges a year ago when he realised he had plenty and could probably get them all if he put his mind to it.
Bedfordshire Scouts spokesman Peter Sutherst praised James' success: "This is an incredible effort that James has made and a brilliant achievement in a relatively short time. He has been earning badges at a rate of about one every three weeks!"
Cub Scout Leader Tracey Chisnall has supported James through all of his 33 badges, including his final cyclist badge, for which he had to learn mountain biking, road safety and cycle care.
Earlier this month James left the Cubs to join the Scouts, but was able to join his 26-strong pack for one last meeting, a cycle around Tiddenfoot Pitt organised by leader Tracey.
Roll of honour
James has all 33 Activity badges, six Staged Activity badges and seven Challenge awards. He was awarded the Chief Scout's Silver Award in September 2009, the highest award a cub can get.
Here's the full list.
Activity badges:
Air Activities
Animal Carer
Artist
Astronomer
Athlete
Athlele plus
Book reader
Camper
Chef
Collector
Communicator
Cyclist
DIY
Entertainer
Equestrian
Global conservation
Hobbies
Home help
Home safety
Local knowledge
Map reader
Martial arts
My faith
Naturalist
Navigator
Personal safety
Physical recreation
Road safety
Scientist
Skater
Sports enthusiast
Water activities
World's faiths
Challenge badges:
Promise Challenge Community Challenge Outdoor Challenge Outdoor plus Challenge Creative Challenge
Global Challenge
Fitness Challenge
Staged Activity badges:
Emergency Aid, Musician, IT, Swimmer, Nights Away and Hikes Away.
>> For further information on Scouting in Leighton Linslade, contact district commissioner Matthew Slade-Pedrick on 07528 736798 or visit the county website www.bedfordshirescouts.org.uk
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
