NEW Queen's Scout Ian Dovey crowned a successful year when he picked up his badge at an annual ceremony in Kidderminster.

Mr Dovey, of KD1 Sea Scouts, was at Windsor Castle this year for the St George's Day parade and he was handed his badge at the Kidderminster Scouts annual meeting at Stretton Hall by County Scout leader Liz Gait.

The bar to the medal of merit was presented to Nigel Elwell (venture Scout leader K12 Blakedown) and Peter Williams (assistant Cub Scout leader KD11 Harkaway).

Medal of merit awards went to:

Ann Denton (assistant district commissioner Beaver Scouts); Geoffrey Morgan (district explorer Scout commissioner); Rachael Setchell (Beaver Scout leader KD11 Harkaway) and Janet Williams (Beaver Scout leader KD11 Harkaway).

The Chief Scout's commendation for good service went to:

Gillian Breakwell (Cub Scout leader KD6 Franche); Faith Burgess (assistant district commissioner adult training); Trevor Burgess (group Scout leader KD1 Sea Scouts); Jeremy Mayfield and Valerie Mayfield (both assistant Cub Scout Leaders KD8 St John's).

A "thanks" badge for non-uniformed service went to Vince Beaumont, a JCB driver on Rhydd Covert. A leader's warrant went to Helen Roberts.

The meeting ended with a talk on the trip by a contingent of Kidderminster Scouts to Thailand for the World Jamboree. The Explorer Scouts and their Leader Andy Marsden (KD11) spent more than two weeks in Thailand and four days in South Korea.