Scouts are drawn from and mostly reflect the local community. We were lucky. Our boys joined what was probably the best local troop in our bit of Surrey and then Venture unit. Run by people who were thoughtful and kind - mostly - and with a fairly strong sense of humour. The boys and girls were mostly of the same type. Meeting some of the other local troops, it was evident that they were not all that nice or that bright.

Such is life. And I shudder to think of the consternation at Baden-Powell House. The Romford behaviour showed an attitude well outside the Scout's ethos, never mind the behaviour.

"A Scout is kind to all in thought, word and deed" If I remember rightly.