On Thursday 25th April 2019, Scouts in Ifield were joined by Robert Sawyer, the County Commissioner for West Sussex, who presented awards to scouts and leaders.
After the presentation of Bronze and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards to young members, he presented the Queen’s Scout Award badges to Adam Bravery, Katie Sexton and Hannah Muller. To become a Queen’s Scout Award, which is the highest award in Scouts, the young person must work for years progressing through new skills, physical activities, expeditions in wild country and foreign expeditions. The members have climbed mountains in Slovenia, carry out a pilgrimage to Canterbury, spent 4 days unsupported in the mountains of the Lake District, volunteered as leaders for the younger sections of scouting, and many further challenges.
The County Commissioner also presented the Silver Acorn Award to Andrew Eastman, who had done 30 yours of exceptional service as a leader. Andrew has transformed the troop when he started with Keith Prior from a handful of members to a very active and large troop. Andrew then took a new challenge of starting Venture Scouts, later becoming Explorer Scouts, where he has led them on expeditions all around Europe as well as supporting them to develop skills for life.
On Friday 26th April the three Queen’s Scouts then joined the other new Queen’s Scouts from across West Sussex at a dinner in Arundel in honour of them where they received their certificates.
Sunday 28th April, Adam, Katie and Hannah as well as Andrew were invited to attend the National Scout Parade before the Duke of Kent in Windsor Castle. Andrew was invited into the St George’s Chapel for a special service in the morning for Adults who had been recognised. The Queen’s Scouts were all learning yet another new skill, they spent the morning leaning how to march/walk oin time.
Following lunch Andrew along with a number of leaders who had been invited and the parents of the Queen’s Scouts gathered in the Quadangle of Windsor Castle. Whilst waiting for the Queen’s Scouts to arrive the leaders and parents meet with a number of the Scout Ambassadors and the UK leadership team who very all very happy to talk those waiting.
The Queen’s Scouts marched into the Quadangle to be presented to the Duke of Kent and Bear Grylls, the Chief Scout, who took time to speak to every Queen’s Scout at the parade.
The afternoon then moved back to St George’s Chapel where the National Scout Service was held with the Queen’s Scouts, this service was relayed outside for other guests to join in and renew their Scout Promises. Following the service Bear Grylls address those there to carry on with what they have learnt and carry on the adventure by passing their skills onto the next generation of Scouts.
On Monday 29th April, Robert Sawyer, the County Commissioner was back in Crawley, this time it was to present to Keith Prior his Silver Acorn for his work with 2nd Ifield, firstly as a Scout Leader and later as Group Scout Leader.
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