Ninety-one-year-old Harry Parsons is one of the oldest surviving former members of the 7th Bristol Christchurch Clifton Scout Group which is celebrating its centenary.

Harry, of Teewell Avenue, Staple Hill, joined the group in 1926 when he was just nine and when he left the Army at the end of World War II in 1946, he became the leader of the Rover Scouts and then Group Scout Leader for 30 years.

The former Desert Rat devoted all his spare time to Scouting and to the Territorial Army.

He still has his old Scout uniform which includes a black neckerchief, green shirt, knife and hat.

He said: "Everyone knew me in Clifton in those days."

Harry met his wife of 67 years, Peggy, through Scouting and their son Michael, 54, was a Scout and daughter Angela, 61, was a Girl Guide.

Angela said: "Scouting was my dad's life – he used to eat, sleep and drink it."

Harry said: "The biggest pleasure I get is seeing former Scouts who had made something of themselves in the world. Quite a few would never have got anywhere if they had not been in the Scouts."

The 7th Bristol Christchurch Clifton Group was started in 1909 by Reginald Pavey, who was a master at Clifton College.

He had started a cricket club at Christchurch School in Princess Victoria Street and the young cricketers became the first Scouts.

There are 15 Cub Scouts and about a dozen Scouts in the group today. Former members were reunited at the Stiles camp at Failand on Saturday June 20 to celebrate the centenary.

This story is from the Bristol Evening Post.