HE first set foot in Kemnal’s Own Scout Group headquarters in 1949 as a 13-year-old Scout.

Now, 61 years later, John Bilke has been elected president of the Scout group.

At 21, Mr Bilke offered his services as an assistant Scout leader and then went on to become a Scout leader, Cub leader and exective committee chairman with Kemnal’s Own.

Now aged 74, Mr Bilke has been resented with a certificate of thanks from Chief Scout Bear Grylls and a badge of thanks from the Scout Association for all his work.

Past and present members of the group as well as volunteer helpers were at Kemnal’s Own headquarters in Partridge Road, Sidcup, to see the presentations.