Scout Notes

Sparkling Start To New Year For Martin

A Greenock Scout became Britain’s first Queen’s Scout of 2012 – the year of the Diamond Jubilee -- and news of his achievement hit the headlines around Scotland! Martin Keane (19) from Greenock attended a special ceremony on New Year’s Day to receive his award – the highest that can be achieved in Scouting.

Martin, who is in the 32nd Greenock and District Scout Group, was informed just two days before Christmas that he had achieved his Queen’s Scout Award. Only a handful of Scouts receive this most prestigious award every year.

He received his Royal Certificates, signed by Her Majesty the Queen, and his new insignia from the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Guy Clark, at his Inverkip estate on New Year’s Day, making him Britain’s first Queen’s Scout of 2012, in this special Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

News of Martin’s achievements were covered on BBC, STV, The Herald, Your Radio and a host of other newspapers and online media including our very own Greenock Telegraph and Inverclyde Now.

District Commissioner David McCallum said: “This is a wonderful honour for Martin and everybody connected with the 32nd Scout Group in Greenock. To have his certificate presented on New Year’s Day in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is incredible. I am particularly proud of Martin whom I have known since he was a Cub Scout. He has been a loyal member of the 32nd group for many years and has grown into a fine young man who is also a leader, all while studying at Glasgow University.”

Carol McCallum, Group Scout Leader at the 32nd added: “I am delighted for Martin. He was a Cub Scout of mine and has ‘done his best’ over many years. I had a tear in my eye when his certificate was received. It was a very special moment.”

Martin said: “This award is a great honour, especially coming as the first of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Throughout my time in Scouting I have gained all of the Chief Scout Awards and this is the culmination of many years of hard work. On top of New Year’s Day I will also be invited to Windsor to meet a member of the Royal Family and I am sure that my award can help act as an inspiration to others to join the Scouts or help out in any way they can. It remains an excellent way for young men and women to learn real life skills.”

Martin had to complete various tasks over a two-year period, including a gruelling 96km hike from Denmark to the site of the world Scout Jamboree in Sweden, where he gave up two weeks in the summer to be part of the international support team, assisting 40,000 from all over the world with various tasks.

He also qualified as kayak instructor as part of his award. Martin is a leader with his own Scout Group, which meets in St Patrick’s Primary School, Broomhill, Greenock. Two others from the same group, brothers Matthew (20) and Dominic (18) Hurrell are also due to receive their Queen Scout Awards at a later stage in 2012.

Major cash boost fund Everton improvements -- Inverclyde Council Criminal Justice Social Work Services has been successful in obtaining a Grant of in excess of £80,000 from the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities Scheme for improvements at Everton Scout Camp. Read Full Story

Carol Singers Thanks -- A big “thanks” to the 20 Leaders and Explorer Scouts who took part in the carol singing. They raised a total of £176 for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Fund (money which will later be returned to Scottish charities). A special thanks to the musicians, Andrew, Jason and Jonathan, who managed to provide guitar accompaniment, and to the can collectors. The singers were surprised to see so many Greenock West End neighbours at windows, appearing genuinely pleased at what was taking place. The event also had a real youthful feel about it. Once again thanks all who supported this great district tradition.

Scouts Pack Their Bags For Funds -- Kilmacolm Scouts joined friends from Corseford Scouts in Johnstone to pack bags over the festive period and raise much-needed funds. The 42nd were out in force bag packing at Morrisons superstore in Johnstone assisting the 98th and raising around £1,000 between both Troops. The Corseford Troop is attached to Corseford School in Johnstone, run by the Capability Scotland organisation for children and young adults with special educational and physical needs. Many of the students have conditions like cerebral palsy and are confined to wheelchairs. Both Troops thank all their supporters for a wonderful effort.

Dunoon Winter Hike For 10th -- Bob Lynch and some young Scouts and parents and grandparents from the 10th undertook their annual winter hike to Bishop’s Seat in the hills above Dunoon. This was a very challenging hike in extremely wet weather, which everyone managed to complete. While waiting for the ferry home, they also managed to find a geo-cache near Dunoon Ferry terminal.

Radio Active – An Open Evening -- Greenock and District Scout and Guides Amateur Radio Club invite Scout and Cub Leaders to an open evening in Scout Headquarters, Finnart Street on Friday 3 February at 7pm. During this evening club members will be on hand to demonstrate how they can help groups complete the activities necessary for the Scout and Cub communicator badges.

This is only a small part of how the club can enhance the experience of young people at all levels in the organisation. For example, those undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award may wish to consider Amateur Radio as an activity which would be ideal for the “Learning a new skill” section. Several young people in the District, with the help of the club, have already achieved their very own Amateur Radio Licence while learning this new skill. The club can also provide fun activities for the Beaver section, learning Morse code, sending messages and games using walkie-talkie radios. If you wish to attend, please register an interest with either Bob or George on the club’s email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 27 January 2012. For more information on club activities and badge work please visit the website where the calendar of events is regularly updated. You may also follow the Club on Twitter @mm0tsg