Sir KINVER’S MP Sir Gavin Williamson judged a competition for a new scout badge created in honour of the 60th anniversary of Halfpenny Green Air Scouts.

Based at Halfpenny Green airbase at Bobbington, near Stourbridge, the group is open to boys and girls, and its HQ features a World War II building complete with a computer room, archery range, 10m air rifle range and a bouldering wall.

The group, which has expanded in recent years, teaches Scouting lessons and values through air and aeronautical activities and Scouts get to try out activities including white water rafting, tobogganing and zip wire rides.

Sir Gavin said it was “a pleasure” to meet the group and judge the new badge competition.

He added: “I must say there were many great designs for the new 60th anniversary badge. The winner will be announced very soon.”

Sir Gavin said he was “really impressed” by all the activities on offer and added: “I’d have loved to go white water rafting when I was that age!

“I’d always encourage anyone and everyone to get involved with the Scouts and Guides, two fantastic institutions that are excellent forces for good in guiding young children and as spaces to make friends for life.”

A spokesperson for Halfpenny Green Air Scouts said: “We were delighted that Sir Gavin could make the time to visit Halfpenny Green Air Scouts to judge the competition for a design for a badge for our 60th anniversary in 2024.

“Sir Gavin was very impressed with the quality and variety of all the designs and said that he could see that a lot of thought had gone into the drawings. It was very hard for him to choose just one but eventually he selected the winner as a design that is simple and clear and would work well as a badge.”