A BOURNEMOUTH scout leader has been appointed National Commissioner for the Scout Section.

Paul Stevens, who runs the 1st Wessex Scout Group, was appointed by the Brotherhood of British Scouts.

Paul has a long history of scouting experience and recently formed a traditional-style scout group, which is not tied to the Scout Association.

He said: “We offer traditional scouting, we follow the original programme as set out by Baden-Powell. There are those who feel scouting needs to move forward and those like myself who feel we’ve lost some of our original values along the way. We’re not in competition, we’re just offering an alternative.”

The 1st Wessex Scout Group meets at Moose Hall in Malmesbury Park Road. Paul is also looking to form a Beaver colony for six to eight year olds this Easter. For more information email scouts@ 1stwessex.org