A WHARFEDALE Scout troop is refusing to let the coronavirus knock it off course.

Like groups up and down the country 2nd Otley Scouts has had to suspend its weekly, face-to-face meetings due to the national lockdown.

But its leaders have been finding alternative ways of doing things to ensure members keep in touch and don’t miss out on important landmarks. The troop has moved its weekly meetings online and has also found an alternative way to formally welcome six of its newest members.

Assistant Leader Robin Guy said: “We were due to invest six of our new scouts at our last meeting in the hall before it was cancelled, at the last minute, following government and Scout Association guidance.

“We decided that our Scouts should not miss out just because we cannot all physically be together, so we dropped off neckers and badges at all their houses and have now undertaken our first ever online investiture of new scouts.

“As a leader team we feel it is very important that now, more than ever, the scouts feel part of a group and that all members are equal.“

The reaction from the scouts concerned has been overwhelmingly positive with one saying: “I am happy now to be one of the first scouts at 2nd Otley to ever be invested online.”

Robin added: ”We are delighted that, despite the current situation, we have been able to continue our regular meetings and that very much includes undertaking investitures.We have been thrilled with the enthusiasm and positive approach from all our members to this new way of doing things.”