A RECORD 180 Wharfedale Beavers met for their annual funday at Curly Hill Campsite Ilkley celebrating 30 years of Beaver Scouting.

Pete Dickinson, the commissioner for Beaver Scouts in Wharfedale, was very pleased to report there was a 100 per cent turnout, where all 12 Beaver colonies attended representing the district's ten Scout groups.

This year's theme was countries and the Beavers travelled round the world making boomerangs in Australia, wine making in France and Dodo egg hunting in Mauritius. They played traditional games from Hungary (Bigezes) and Sweden (Kubb) and learnt about chocolate in Guatemala, to name just a few of the exciting countries they visited.

Pete Dickinson said: "The weather didn't spoil the Beavers' enthusiasm even after a thunder storm with torrential rain at the halfway point.

"We just came inside, had a sing song and then went back out on to a very soggy campsite and carried on. It is official – Wharfedale Beavers love mud.

"After the event, we held a sleepover that six colonies attended, with a barbecue, campfire and film show, and then most (but not all!) Beavers headed off for a good night's sleep. A great time was had by all."