Hundreds of Scouts from across Cambridgeshire have gathered at Huntingdon's Performing Arts Centre for the annual County Top Awards Ceremony.

The event recognises those who have gained their Chief Scout Award, which indicates that the bearer has excelled in all areas of the scouting programme for their age.

The County Commissioner, Richard Hames, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire were both on hand to present the recipients with special woggles and a certificate for their efforts.

Amongst those attending this year's event were 7 members of the 18th Cambridge Scout Group, including Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Young Leaders.

Bronze Award Holders

Christopher Whitehead managed to achieve the award in a very short period of time, having only been an 18th Beaver for eight months. He attended everything to complete two of the Challenge Badges over the Summer and Autumn Terms, and was handed a scouting wordsearch containing 100 words to find as part of a persistence challenge.

James Robinson and Henry Smith-Johnson had both spent two years working towards their awards. Their personal challenge focused on the 'moving on' process and required them to write a 250-word story on their experience of moving on to Cubs. For successfully completing the challenge, both boys received their awards at the Non-Bonfire Evening at Milton Country Park.

Silver Award Holders

George Evans and Tristan Alphey both acquired their awards at the end-of-year Christmas Show. Having already completed five of the challenge badges, both were given the task to learn and sing a number of songs as part of the Entertainers Badge, and perform them as solos. On completing this, Akela presented them with early Christmas presents...their Silver Awards!

Gold Award Holder

Although no longer a scout with the 18th, Matthew Brown gained his Chief Scout Gold Award as a result of a project he undertook with the group. Having completed all the necessary challenge badges, his final task was to help one of the younger sections obtain a badge. Over a period of four weeks, Matthew prepared activities for the Road Safety badge and in doing so received the Gold Award. Matthew, also known as 'Mowgli', is a young helper with the 18th Cubs.

Platinum Award Holder

Mark Brown, also known as Hathi, received the Platinum Award after completing a number of challenges over a period of months, including a 4-day residential experience, developing a new skill and physical recreation. His final challenge, to complete a period of community service, has been fulfilled by his work as a Young Leader with the 18th Cubs, though the majority of his award was completed through Air Cadet commitments.

After the awards ceremony, 18th Scout Leader Simon Gates was full of praise for the recipients;

"Gaining any award in scouting takes a lot of hard work and effort, so I am extremely proud of what these young people have managed to achieve. They are a credit to the movement and will no doubt encourage others to follow a similar example."

Following an recent revision of the programme, the requirements for the Chief Scout Award are set to change in 2009. However, even under the new criteria it is believed that upto 15 members of the group are in the running for similar awards next year!