A TALENTED member of a Scout group in a York village is as good as gold.

Stephen Bond, now a young leader in the Stockton-on-the-Forest Scout Group, which was reformed in September 2000, has been presented with the prestigious Chief Scout's Gold Award for his services to the movement.

Three other members of the group - Alex Beattie, Robin Bayley and Matthew Denison - were awarded the Chief Scout's Silver Award.

The group's Cubs and Scouts are camping out together for the first time this weekend at Raywell Park, South Cave.

The Beavers were having it slightly easier with a 24-hour stay in dormitories.

Updated: 09:32 Saturday, May 24, 2003