Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / UK
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

22:58 GMT, Thursday, 31 July 2008 23:58 UK

Scout's honour for Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver's campaign for healthy school dinners has earned him his own badge from the Scout Association.

The chef is one of several celebrities to receive the honour as part of the Scout movement's 101st birthday.

Others include Ray Mears, Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, and the teenaqe winner of Britain's Got Talent, George Sampson.

Their achievements were all judged to reflect the skill and knowledge needed to attain a scout badge.

On receiving his badge Oliver said: "I'm honoured to get this from the Scouts but I'm also really pleased that thousands of young people are being encouraged to learn about food and cooking through the Scouting movement.

"I hope they will develop their passion for food into adulthood so that they can look after themselves and their families with some decent cooking."

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman won the navigator award for their Long Way Down and Long Way Round television shows.

Boorman said: "Ewan and I are delighted to receive this award from the Scout Association, as navigation is so important to the trips we take.

"I hope that our expeditions inspire young people to go out and experience different countries and cultures for themselves."

Survival expert Ray Mears won an outdoor adventure badge and there was an athlete badge for teenage Olympic diver Tom Daley.

Three Scouts visited the Top Gear track to award The Stig with his instructor badge for his work on the BBC2 programme.

The Top Gear team said The Stig was "terrified" of Scouts, but added: "We are delighted and honoured that The Stig has received this prestigious award from the Scout movement."

The Scouts was established by Robert Baden-Powell on 1 August 1907. Today's chief Scout is ex-Blue Peter Presenter Peter Duncan.

He said: "These individuals have all been identified by a panel of Scouts as positive role models for young people today.

Scout birthday honours


"We are delighted to have awarded them the appropriate badges to celebrate the birthday of scouting.

"All badge winners should feel proud that they have inspired so many young people to challenge themselves and try new activities and adventures."

Seventeen-year-old Explorer Scout Amy Brunson was on the birthday honours panel.

"We chose to honour these individuals as they were all mentioned as having inspired us and our friends to learn new skills and try new activities," she said.

"Watching people like Ray Mears and Ewan McGregor makes me want to get outside and explore the world."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Scouts in centenary celebrations (01 Aug 07 |  UK )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
History of Scouting
Scout Association
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©