18 October: Scouts and their Leaders from the 25^th Purley (St. Mark’s) Scout Group joined Croydon MPs Richard Ottaway and Gavin Barwell along with 150 Scouts and Scout leaders from across the UK to mingle with MPs at the Speaker’s reception.  The event, hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Scout Group and the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP, is a prestigious opportunity for young people in Scouting to experience meeting with their own and other MPs in the House of Commons to talk about the challenges facing Scouting, such as the lack of adult volunteers.

“It’s been an incredible experience to come and meet my local MPs at the Houses of Parliament and to have the privilege of being entertained in the Speaker’s apartments.  At the 25^th Purley we are so lucky to be able to take part in such a wide range of exciting and adventurous activities and camps. 

To have the chance to talk to Wayne Bulpitt, UK Chief Commissioner for Scouting and Sir Alan Craft, Chairman, The Scout Association, about what we do at the 25^th Purley and how they can help and support us, was very important to me”.

The 25^th Purley happened to be passing the Foreign Office just as the President of Chile got out of his car and he spoke to Laurel and thanked all those waiting to greet him for their support for the miners so that was an extra special bonus on the day!

The Speaker’s reception is an annual event for scouts, adult volunteers and MPs.  It is hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Scout Group, a group of parliamentarians who are committed to raising awareness of Scouting in the UK.