Chairman's Christmas Message 2020
I write to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
2020 has been a fantastic year for innovation and embracing change and although my greatest wish is that we can start meetings in 2021 without saying “you are on mute”, so many people deserve applause for keeping Scouting active and moving forward this year, both on line and face to face. Thank you all for what you have achieved.
Our celebration of Christmas may be different
this year, personally I am saddened that I am not able to visit my children or
grandchildren, however, I would ask you to spare a thought for 2 Scouting
families, who, in the last week have lost loved ones.
Roy Brooksbank
Roy was introduced to Scouting by the late
Bob Collingwood, and soon became Scout Leader at 1st West Bridgford
for some years before taking the SL role at the combined 1st/2nd Troop when the
2 Groups amalgamated. He led the troop through successful years, building it to
a well respected Troop with 6 full patrols run by a successful Patrol Leaders
Council. With Roy’s support and enthusiasm, the active programmes suggested by
the PLC were implemented, with camps every month or so, including through the
winter. Roy’s ability to work with other leaders in the District also ensured a
number of joint camps including a 2 week trip to Kanderstag. For the PLs, that
had the benefit of extra camps when searching for summer camp sites and PL
training, the PLs camped around 40 nights away for several years, an indication
of the commitment and effort Roy put into the troop. Those years with both
Groups will be well remembered by all those he mentored.
Richard J Albery
Richard was a member of 2nd West
Bridgford through Wolf Cubs, Scouts and Seniors. His first leadership role was
with the 1st/2nd Troop in its early years. He was Scout
Leader at 1st Wolds for several years when his work was in that
area, but he maintained links with 1st/2nd though that
time. After a period working at Gilwell Park, where he met up with his future
wife, he returned to West Bridgford and was involved with running the troop at
1st/2nd for several years as ASL. His skills in campcraft and
pioneering were impressive and he passed these on with patience and passion.
He is survived by his wife Angie and children
Matthew and Lizzy.
For those of us that were involved with these
two Leaders there will be so many memories and stories to tell.
RIP “old wolves”
(Thanks to Tig for his memories)
Let’s all resolve to celebrate what we have,
rather than what we are missing, and to commit to our Scouting next year.
Thank you all for your efforts in 2020 and Merry Christmas.