Engineer mum opens a new scout group

Catherine Wakely, a mother of three from Upper Stondon, graduated from the University of Edinburgh as a chartered mechanical engineer. Now she is putting her skills of resourcefulness, self-sufficiency and forward planning into action by heading the newly opened 1st Stondon Scout Group.

Catherine decided to set up the group after her eldest son Arthur, five, started to reach scout age – but the nearest group was based in Hitchin.

The answer for this mother was to mobilise the village parents and open one in the local village hall, which is already home to the guides.

Within six months, with help from Biggleswade District Scouters Gerry Pope and Bill Mapletoft, Catherine had recruited a band of helpers and supporters, enthusiastic parents and enthusiastic youngsters all eager to take part.

At a recent meeting all 19 beavers and cubs were invested into the Scout Movement along with five leaders – and they enjoyed celebratory cake to mark the occasion!

Catherine said: “There’s never a dull moment with a family of three. So it’s going to be quite hectic now I have added another 19 and son Arthur joining soon.

“Arthur knows he’s got an engineer mum when we fight over who’s going to try out the new Lego construction kit. Sometimes I let him win.”