On a hot Saturday morning the Royal Sutton Coldfield Scouts East and West Districts held their annual raft competition.

A total of seventeen teams entered from both the East and West Districts, which were split over two races. After building their own rafts in teams of four or six scouts, using plastic or metal barrels, inner tubes, timber poles for support, adhering to the set rules, they were then put to the test in a timed race around a pre-determined course on Powell’s Pool in Royal Sutton Park.

All teams did incredibly well with many of the rafts remaining mostly intact and completing the course – the winning team passing the finish line after about five and eight minutes, for both races. Andrew Mitchell MP then presented the trophies with Brian Stacey, the District Scout Leader, for the winners of the best built raft, the race and overall positions, for both districts.

After the race Andrew Mitchell said:

“Scouting is a brilliant organisation for young people and I am glad the Royal Sutton Coldfield Scouts continue to thrive and prosper.“I would like to congratulate all the Scouts who took part in this exciting competition. We have around 2,000 young Suttonians throughout our Royal Town who are benefiting from the great Scouting movement.”

Brian Stacey added:

“All the teams did extremely well, especially with the tough marking criteria for design, construction, teamwork and of course the condition of the raft after the race. Scouting in Sutton Coldfield continues to strive with such activities like this and other that we do in the district. We continue to have adventure and provide skills for life.”