Scouting Snapshots

It was with great delight that three Scouts from Blackpool District received the highest award in the Scout Section for youngsters aged 10.5 to 14 .

Amy Jane Cartwright, Nathan Addleston and Owen Wilson, all 14 and from 1st Norbreck Scout Group, attended a ceremony to receive their awards at the University of Lancashire, Preston.

To achieve the award, the Scouts are required to complete seven ongoing programme challenges which start within the Beaver Scout Section (aged six to eight) for youngsters aged through to Network Scouts, for young people aged 25, where the successful members gain their Queen’s Scout Award.

These seven challenges include team work, personnel achievement, global, health and hygiene and faith.

The presentation evening was chaired by the chairman of the Network Section of West Lancashire Scouts, and the Chief Scouts Gold Award Certificates were presented by County Commissioner for West Lancashire Scouts Steve Morton.

Norbreck Scout leader Claire Hadcraft said: “Our cheeky trio have been awarded their Chief Scout Gold award.

“I’m so proud of all three of them.

“They have all worked very hard to gain the award.

“I’ve been there from the start and it’s been a fabulous ride.

“We’ve laughed until we’ve cried and you’ve made us very proud but most of all, these three youngsters are the most kind, polite, team players and it’s been my pleasure.

“Thank you to them for some amazing memories.”

All three of the Scouts are looking forward to the next chapter in their Scouting by joining Explorers and becoming Young Leaders.

Scouts join in political debate on issues in resort

Blackpool Scouts visited the Town Hall to debate on issues they face and have their voices heard.

A group from 44th Blackpool were invited to Blackpool Youth Voice’s (BYV) annual general meeting on November 15.

Monica Brownwood, representative for Blackpool Scouts, said: “BYV are the youth council for the young people of Blackpool, who ensure that every young person, aged 11-19, no matter their ethnic or social background can have their voice heard.

“BYV allows young people to have the opportunity to have their say and make informed decisions on key issues affecting them on a local, regional and national level.

“Recently, BYV have undertaken their ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign in which they collectively got the voices of 6,024 young people’s voices heard in 2016.

“This was a real achievement for the group that took some strong teamwork and dedication.

“The top three issues which the young people voted for in the ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign were debated that night.

“It enabled the young people in the town who voted in the campaign the opportunity to raise the issues they’re facing around the topics discussed.

“A diverse panel of professionals were put before the audience so that the 44th Scouts as well as other groups from the LGBT community and Young Carers could ask any questions and raise their concerns to the professionals who were there.

“The night was a success, with many of the scouts engaging in political and social debate.