Alderley Scout District has seen significant growth in the past year, helping total membership in Cheshire to crash through the 11,000 barrier.
With the national 2011 Census figures just released, Alderley District achieved the largest increase in the county with membership up 8.1%, bringing the total figure to 880 members.
In Cheshire as a whole there are 307 more young people and adults participating in Scouting. That represents an increase of 2.7%, with youth participation up by 3.3% to 9,059 and adult numbers up 0.3% to 1,747. With 391 people engaged in support activities it brings the total figure to 11,197.
Ten of the 11 districts in the county increased their membership numbers showing that the increase is not down to isolated pockets of growth.
In the last five years, numbers in Cheshire have also been boosted by a huge influx of female youth members, with their membership figures increasing by a massive 131% over that period to stand at 1,363. These figures are replicated nationally as, for the first time, more girls than boys joined Scouting last year, helping push total membership beyond half a million.
"It's encouraging to see our numbers rising, and that we are attracting a growing number of female young people at the same time," said District Commissioner Stephen Buckley.
His comments were echoed by County Commissioner Graham Phillips.
He said "Girls are increasingly being attracted by the adventurous nature of our programme in Scouting and we are delighted at the trend which has seen more and more of them looking to join our units, troops, packs and colonies."
