THE West Devon District Cub Scout Shield annual event was hosted by Walkhampton Valley Scout Group recently.

It was held at St Paul's Church Hall, Yelverton and attended by Cub Scout Packs from Bere Alston, Horrabridge, Lifton, Princetown, Tavistock Kestrels, Tavistock Ospreys, Walkham Valley and Whitchurch.

The 100th anniversary of the Siege of Mafeking was a very significant date in British history — and of scouting. As the hero of Mafeking, General Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the scout movement, was taken as the theme for the competition.

Activity bases ranged from constructing living accommodation — mud huts — to finding your way through battle fields by tracking.

Other activities included semaphore communications. defending the territory, hospital first aid and, of course, feeding the troops — which involved cooking over an open fire.

These bases tested Cub Scouts from across West Devon in their Scouting skills resulting in the closest finish for many years.

Horrabridge came first, with Bere Alston second and Walkham Valley third.

Horrabridge will now represent West Devon District at the County Shield to be held in November.