AFTER 21 years of exploring the countryside and learning new skills, Diggle Beavers are still going as strong as ever.
The group was set up in 1993 by Linda Hall and Christine Smith, then both young mums with small children who spread the word around the village to get others involved.
With an Indian theme for the group, the pair named themselves after tribes – Linda is Apache and Christine is Mohican – and divided the boys, aged six to eight, into Teipi, Wigwam, Long House and Earth Lodge teams.
For their first meeting, they were offered the use of Kilngreen Church and Rev Duncan Rhodes has always been very supportive of the group along with Anne Collier, Assistant District Commissioner for Beavers in Oldham.
And now 21 years later, Linda and Christine celebrated their success over the years with current Beavers at Grandpa Greene’ Ice Cream shop on Ward Lane in Diggle.
They tucked into beef burgers, crisps, ice cream and a birthday cake decorated with a beaver before their four newest beavers were invested and received their iconic neckerchief and badges.
Linda and Christine said: “It is hard to believe we have been doing Beavers for 21 years. The time has just flown by.
“We have been lucky that we have been able to juggle family life, work and continue to run beavers for so many years. We think there is still a few more years in us yet!”
Around 12 Beavers, who come from Diggle or attend Kilngreen Church Sunday School, currently meet at Kilngreen Church on Tuesdays at 6pm-7pm during the school term time.
During April and September the group can be found out and about the village and surrounding hills learning about nature, the country code and working towards different badges
In the winter months they stay inside to play games and do craft activities, including working towards badges or making gifts and cards – or just paper aeroplanes.
Linda and Christine added: “It is always interesting to see how the boys grow and develop over the two years they are with us. The quiet ones nearly always end up the noisiest.”
Over the years some beavers have enjoyed their time so much they have returned aged 14 to help out as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
The Beavers were the first scouting section to be formed in Diggle but now the village has Cubs and Scouts as well.
You must be logged in to post a comment.