SCOUTS should always be prepared but at this event all they need is a bucket and spade.The 24th Ipswich scouts will bring in eight tonnes of sand to their headquarters in Bramford Road for a beach party on May 7.

SCOUTS should always be prepared but at this event all they need is a bucket and spade.

The 24th Ipswich scouts will bring in eight tonnes of sand to their headquarters in Bramford Road for a beach party on May 7.

The idea is just the latest wacky event to be held by the group which is celebrating 100 years of scouting.

Stewart Bethell, Scouter in charge, said: “My line of work is quite solitary and I am often sitting in a large crane by myself.

“This gives me lots of time to think up crazy ideas for events with the Scouts and the latest one came after hearing that the beach is disappearing at Felixstowe.

“I thought if it was going there we could recreate it in Ipswich and set about finding a company to donate the sand.

“When I pitched the idea to the committee I didn't think they would go for it but to my surprise they did.”

As well as the eight tonnes of sand, which Mr Bethell will have to move by hand into the hall when it is delivered, the scouts are making a back drop of the sea and cardboard palm trees and fish.

He said: “A lot of hard work is going into the day but the scouts love all of the events we organise and really appreciate the effort that goes into it.

“This event will take even longer than usual to sort out as we will spend the whole day on Sunday getting the sand in and then have to clear it out by 6pm on the Tuesday because a badminton club uses the hall.”

The sand will be donated by Camel Sand and Gravel and a spokeswoman for the company said: “Obviously Scouting is a very worthwhile activity, and Camel is more than pleased to help out in any way we can. We sincerely hope the event is a great success.”

The party will start at 2pm on the Bank Holiday and will have side stalls, inflatables, a barbecue as well as the indoor beach party.

A beach party evening disco will run from 6pm to 10pm and tickets, priced at £2 each, are available from Stewart Bethell on 07887534541.

January 2007 - The group held wooden pig racing in the hall and placed bets on who would win. People had to jockey the six pigs, which were on wheels, up the hall in a bid to win a race.

June 2006 - Tommy the teddy bear went on then Three Peaks Challenge with members of the scout group. Tommy was pictured at the top of Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike.

February 2006 - The group set out to collect bottle tops for a charity claiming to be raising money to buy wheelchairs. The charity turned out to be a hoax and the scouts were left with more than a tonne of plastic.

February 2005 - A 23-seater bike was ridden around Ipswich town centre to raise money for the Ipswich Gang Show which is organised by the Scouts.

June 2000 - A German beer evening was held by the Scouts in Westbourne High School with music by the Royal British Legion.