Aston & Little Stoke’s first ever Beaver

The Beavers after their trip on the canal courtesy of the Canal Cruising Company
The Beavers after their trip on the canal courtesy of the Canal Cruising Company

History was made on a canal boat at Crown St Wharf on Tuesday 8th July when the first girl to be invested in Aston & Little Stoke Beaver Colony made her promise in front  of her fellow Beaver Scouts and proud parents.

Sophie Tonge had been on the waiting list since the age of 3, and became the first girl in the groups 50 year history to start in the youngest age group for scouts. The Scout Troop has girls but they have not come “up through the ranks”.

Sophie with fellow Beaver Scout Ned Hancock who was invested at the same time and Beaver Leader Nichola Abbott (Ottawa to the Beavers)
Sophie with fellow Beaver Scout Ned Hancock who was invested at the same time and Beaver Leader Nichola Abbott (Ottawa to the Beavers)

In 2007, Scouting’s centenary year, The Scout Association made it compulsory that groups must accept girls.

Aston & Little Stoke Scout Group meet as they have done throughout their 50 years, at Aston Village Hall. Beavers and Scouts on Tuesday evenings, Cubs on Monday evening. A celebration is taking place in September at Stone Tennis Club to celebrate this milestone.