A CUB leader who has spent the past 50 years leading his young pack at the 13th Fife (Rosyth Methodist) Scout Group has been honoured with a special presentation.

Martin Rogers (68) was first involved in Scouting back in 1954 when he joined the 13th Fife Wolf Cubs at the age of eight. He became an assistant Cub master on his 18th birthday and has served the same group ever since, teaching hundreds of boys and girls between the ages of eight and 11.

Last Saturday he was presented with a lithograph of The Jungle Book – a text which has a long history with Scouting and what is essentially the Cubs’ bible.

Leaders and families from the 13th all gathered at the national headquarters at Fordell Firs to celebrate Martin’s achievement.

He is known as the group’s Akela – the leader of the wolf pack from the Jungle Book – somebody who is a symbol of authority and leadership within the Scouts.

Martin had not expected the carefully-planned party but was pleased with how the day went. “It was quite a surprise – it was all organised undercover!” he said. “But it was a lovely afternoon with old colleagues and friends from the other Scout groups in the district. I was aware that this anniversary was coming up but it was a great surprise and I really enjoyed the occasion.

“I’ve been a leader for 50 years but have been involved for most of my life. It’s one of those things that you go into and just start to take on the leadership role and I never stopped, really.” Brenda Duncan, assistant Cub leader, praised Martin’s commitment to the group. “I have always admired Martin’s sheer dedication,” she said. “In all my time there, never has he missed a single week. Come rain or shine, he’s always prepared to take Cubs on a new adventure, teach them skills that will hopefully last them a lifetime. He’s an incredibly knowledgeable man with a real passion for his locality.

“Our Akela is determined to see his Cubs succeed and become better individuals. He’s a very generous individual and will always go to great lengths in ensuring this.” Stuart Fowell, former group leader at the 13th, also had kind words to say about Martin’s influence on the group. “There is no doubt that Martin’s contribution to Scouting at group level has been immeasurable and considerably more than simply being a section leader of long-standing service,” he said.

“He has been, more than anyone else associated with the group, a key figure in keeping the group running, in maintaining its Scouting standards and in sustaining the character and traditions of the group in a way that is entirely apparent to those who support it.” But for Martin, the important thing is engaging with the young members of his pack and helping them along with their lives. “I think it’s a good thing for young people,” he explained.

“Organisations like this do a good job providing guidance and training for many young people and numbers are on the increase again.” And although 50 years might seem like a long time, Martin has no plans to take a step back any time soon.

“I’m definitely going to carry on for the foreseeable future,” he said. “2016 marks a hundred years since the Wolf Cubs started, so I definitely want to see that.”