Highest Scouting Honour for Heywood Scouts

Scout Leader Malcolm Fallon, Aiden Fallon, Rhys Connah, Connor Marshall, Group Scout Leader Steph Banks

Three Scouts from 8th Heywood (St Luke’s) Troop have been awarded the highest award a Scout can achieve, the Chief Scout Gold Award.

Through a lot of hard work and commitment over the last three and a half years, Connor Marshall, Rhys Connah and Aiden Fallon, all fourteen years old, have completed the prestigious award.

To achieve the award, the Scouts had to complete nine challenges including: experiencing adventurous activities; learning about the world; developing personal skills; taking on leadership roles; completing team work challenges; taking part in creative activities; attending camps and navigating expeditions.

Connor, Rhys and Aiden have been members of St Luke’s Scout Group since becoming Beavers at the age of six and as part of the Team Leader section of the award, they have been volunteering as Young Leaders at the Beaver and Cub sections, passing on their Scouting skills to younger members. They look to continue in these roles in the future.

They have attended many camping weekends including a Jamboree in Glasgow last summer meeting Scouts from around the world.

The Scouts have also developed skills in adventurous activities such as climbing and orienteering; and taken part in environmental activities, which included a project recently about Plastic Pollution.

Rhys said: “Working towards the Gold Award has been hard work, but worth it. I’d like to thank everyone who helped me achieve this.”

Aiden added: “I have really enjoyed my time in Scouts and I have learned so much which will help me later in life.”

Connor said: “I am overwhelmed at receiving my Chief Scout Gold Award. Scouting has given me so many opportunities and life skills, in particular, the opportunity to attend next year’s World Scout Jamboree in America.”

Malcolm Fallon, Scout Leader for 8th Heywood Scouts said: “The Chief Scout Gold Award is the highest award that you can achieve in the Scout section. We are so proud of the hard work put in by these young people. it takes a lot of commitment and determination to complete all the challenges.”

Group Scout Leader, Steph Banks added: “I’m very proud of Connor, Aiden and Rhys, they are the first three Chief Scout Gold Awards we have presented since relaunching the 8th Heywood group seven years ago. Well done to them all.”

The Scouts were presented with their awards at their last group meeting on Monday by Scout Leader Malcolm Fallon, and Group Scout Leader Steph Banks. They will continue their Scouting journey at the brand-new Explorer Group at St Luke’s in the New Year.