Scouts chuffed to meet railway duke

They were headhunted by the Duke of Kent to join him at Oxenhope station after he arrived from Ingrow by steam train.

The Duke, cousin of the Queen, visited the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway this month to see the recently-restored steam locomotive Bahamas.

In his capacity as president of Scouts UK he asked if a local group could be present to meet him at Oxenhope station.

Answering the call were members of the 14th Keighley (Haworth) Scout Group including Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and leaders.

Group Scout leader Bev Dickinson said the children and young people turned out proudly to extend a warm welcome.

She said she was “chuffed to bits” with the way the Duke interacted with the entire group, and it would be a memory for all, especially the younger members, in years to come.

Bev described the Duke as a “lovely, really soft-spoken, and very much a gentle man”.

She said: “On arrival at Oxenhope HRH the Duke of Kent spoke to every member, spending time especially with the young members to inquire about their scouting experience.

“He asked how they earned their badges and which was their favourite. The answers ranged from Chef to Communication, and the Duke expressed his surprise at the number of badges some of the members had earned.

“The Duke was very encouraging and supportive. He also asked if they enjoyed camping, upon which he was told that Scouts were going camping immediately after the visit.

“He was also interested to know if Haworth had any ‘Queen’s Scouts’ and was told there have been quite a few over the years, and that one member was aiming for the award at the moment.”

The Queen’s Scout Award is the highest award in Scouting for youth members, and has long been recognised around the world.

The Haworth Scout Group said it wanted to thank the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for its invitation to attend the event.

The Duke went to Ingrow station after attending a packed gathering at nearby St John’s Church.