YOUNGSTERS love to get out and about, and organisations such as Scouts, Cubs and Beavers enable them to do exactly that.

But lockdown provided families with unprecedented challenges, which included keeping their children occupied while at home.

One Scout group has described how they managed to carry out a wide range of tasks - which included camping - all within lockdown regulations.

Each week the Hexham Courant awards its Bouquet of the Week to individuals and organisations which go the extra mile.

This week we shine the light on 1st Haydon Bridge Scouts, as they look forward to finally meeting in person in September, which will be for the first time in six months.

It’s been a challenging year in many respects for the group, which has been a firm fixture in Haydon Bridge for decades.

In January, they needed a new leader to take over the reins, and Philip Richardson stepped forward with the help of other parents.

Philip’s son Tom (11) is a member of the Scouts, while his other children Joe (7) and Jake (9) are in the village’s Beavers and Cubs, respectively.

“It has certainly been a memorable year so far,” said Philip. “Despite lockdown we have been able to meet via Zoom, and I have been impressed at the way the youngsters have adapted to a new way of working, and I think they have enjoyed it.”

Well-earned badges have been handed out for those who turned their hand to cooking, while others designed posters for VE Day.

Stairs have been vacuumed, and even toilets have been cleaned at home, as the scouts came up with creative ways to keep themselves occupied.

Camping in the garden, and in some cases, the front room, has been achieved, and Phil said the weekly Zoom meetings were a good platform for sharing ideas during a particularly challenging period.

Anne-Marie, of Haydon Bridge Pharmacy, also hosted a talk for the youngsters via Zoom about what to do in an emergency.

“I’ve been very impressed with their attitude,” said Philip. “They have been a credit to the troop and to Haydon Bridge.

“It has been difficult for everyone not being able to meet face-to-face, but they really have made the most of their time in a constructive way.”

The Scouts, which are currently based at the St John’of Beverly Catholic Church site, on North Bank, are funded by Haydon Parish Council, and have also been backed by the Co-op’s community fund.

The group is working towards an eagerly awaited return with Covid-19 restrictions in place.

Prior to lockdown, they welcomed Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman, who led an interactive talk about politics. Philip said plans were afoot for the Scouts to get involved with the maintenance of the village’s floral gardens.