The Island was well represented at the National Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London last Friday (23rd February). The annual service is organised by Scouts UK and Westminster Abbey to celebrate and thank volunteers involved in Scouting across the UK and British Scouting overseas. The service honoured over 2,000 long-serving volunteer leaders and supporters for their service and dedication to the Scouts, whose founder, Robert Baden-Powell, is memorialised in the Abbey’s nave. Friday’s service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who gave the Welcome and pronounced the Blessing. A testimony was given by Ayesha Karim, Scouts UK Youth Lead and Rob Mason Scouts UK Youth Team Member gave thanks for the role adult volunteers play in developing young scouts. Those attending from the Island (pictured left to right) were:
- Dave Simpson, lead volunteer for Isle of Wight Scouts
- Mary Kershaw, lead volunteer at 1st Godshill & Rookley Scout Group
- Graham Walmsley, lead volunteer at 5th Ryde Scout Group
- Becca Steen, IoW Scouts Youth Lead and a volunteer at the lying in state of HM Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of HM King Charles III
- Mandy Holloway, volunteer lead for programme, Isle of Wight Scouts
- Wendy Steen, lead volunteer at 7th Newport Scout Group
- Andy Hollebon, Chair, Isle of Wight Scouts Trustee Board
- Not pictured but attending is Paul Savill, lead volunteer at 1st Gurnard Scout Group
Dave Simpson, lead volunteer at Isle of Wight Scouts said:
“We regularly recognise the fantastic service our adult volunteers provide. For many this is by recognising the length of their service and for others their volunteering is recognised by special awards. For all of us the real reward and recognition is in the knowledge that we are helping young people across the Island to develop and progress towards taking their place as citizens in our society. “Isle of Wight Scouts is the largest voluntary sector provider of activities for young people on the Isle of Wight but without the support of adult volunteers none of this would be possible. We have uniformed and non-uniformed volunteer roles in Scout Groups and Units across the Island and welcome enquiries via www.scouts.org.uk/join or our Facebook page @IsleofWightScouts.”
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The service honoured over 2,000 long-serving volunteer leaders and supporters for their service and dedication to the Scouts , whose founder, Robert Baden-Powell, is memorialised in the Abbey’s nave. An Address was given by the Right Reverend Stephen Lake, Bishop of Salisbury and Vice President of Dorset Scouts. The renewal of the Scout Promise was led by Carl Hankinson, UK Chief Volunteer, whilst prayers were led by the Reverend Robert Latham, Minor Canon and Sacrist, and said by Saim Raza, Scout Unsung Hero; and Georgina Horwich, Scout Unsung Hero. Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir, conducted by Andrew Nethsingha Organist and Master of the Choristers, sung at the concert, with the organ played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist.
