A SCOUT leader who managed to keep a group of youngsters silent for 30 minutes has won an award.

Jill Edwards has helped raise more than £3,000 over the past 15 years for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal from sponsored silences.

And earlier this month the leader of 1st Bicester (Intrepid) Scout Group was presented with a cup in recognition of her support. Scouts also received two awards at the presentation, including a Corporate Certificate of Achievement and the Poppy Achievement Cup, for their fund raising efforts.

Mrs Edwards, who runs the group at Ashdene Road, Bicester, said: “It’s normally the Beaver Scouts, aged six to eight, who do the sponsored silence because they don’t go to the remembrance service.

“It’s very hard for six to eight-year-olds to stay quiet for half-an-hour. Their mums can’t believe it, but they bring colouring books and if they need the toilet they put their hand up.”

Earlier this month the group lit 100 candles at a service at Bicester Methodist Church, Sheep Street, to mark the Centenary of Bicester District Scouts. Next year the group will celebrate its 100th anniversary.