The Isle of Wight Scouts have marked a year of achievements at their Annual General Meeting, while preparing for one of the biggest global Scouting events of 2025.
Highlights from 2024 included the hugely popular Corf Open Day, dozens of camps, and the Isle of Wight Revolution Camp, which brought hundreds of young people together at the County Showground and across the Island. Other successes were the launch of a new climbing wall and high ropes course at Corf, the creation of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, and the opening of a sixth Squirrel Dray in Cowes.
The Scouts also supported the Isle of Wight Festival and Pride, hosted youth engagement projects and Remembrance events, and introduced a new digital membership system. Membership levels remain steady compared with 2023.
Awards presented on the evening included a County neckerchief to High Sheriff Jacqueline Gazzard, who joins Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon as a Scout Champion. Liam Downer received the prestigious King’s Scout Award, while long service awards went to Tim Fallick (50 years), Geoff Brown (60 years), and Don and Val Sambrook (70 years).
Formal business confirmed Andy Hollebon as County Chair, Mike Grist as County Secretary and Graham Salter as Vice President. Over 50 colleagues attended, along with the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff and President Sir Guy Ackland.
Closing the meeting, the Lord Lieutenant said she was endlessly impressed by the Scouts, praising their “purpose, hope and determination” and thanking leaders for making it possible.
Looking ahead, around 300 Island Scouts will take part in Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTA-JOTI) from 17th–19th October – the world’s largest digital and radio Scouting event. Under the theme ‘A World Shaped by Youth’, thousands of Scouts worldwide will connect online and via amateur radio.
To support the event, the Scouts are appealing to local businesses to loan or donate laptops and tablets, which will also be used year-round for digital badges, leader training, camps and community events.
Ali Burt, Volunteering Development Team Leader, said:
“This year we want to introduce more technology for our older youth members, giving them access to coding, broadcasting, VR simulators and much more.”
Businesses willing to support are encouraged to get in touch.
