This week dozens of Scouts and Explorers have braved the stage in Chilwell School Theatre. Altogether, 9 teams from South West Notts gathered to deliver a variety of expedition presentations, covering 2 scout expeditions, 5 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and 2 Silver Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. The expedition presentation is an essential element of the Duke of Edinburgh award and allows for originality in content and approach.
Jack Kellas (County Youth Lead) and David Henson (County DofE Lead) attended the presentations as representatives of Nottinghamshire Scouts, and were very impressed by the effort witnessed.
Speaking to the Scouts, Jack said "All of the presentations this evening demonstrated perseverance, progress and pride.
"You overcame the hurdles faced in your planned expeditions, and showed perseverance in pushing through the challenges faced individually and as teams.
"Tonight you have told us all about your perseverance, and in doing so you have charted your progress, recognising how far you have come with a huge amount of pride"
Parents and carers asked thoughtful questions of the young people, all of which were answered with honest reflections on their expedition experiences. The presentations ended with a huge thank you and well done from Jack and Ed (District Lead Volunteer), with the majority of young people committing to completing the next level of expedition at the next possible opportunity.
His Majesty The King's Official Birthday Service
We were recently honoured to be invited to send a small delegation of Nottinghamshire Scouts to the King's Official Birthday Service. The service hosted dignitaries from across Nottinghamshire, and was hosted by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant, Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC, the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Ed Attenborough DL, and the Dean of Southwell, The Revd Canon Dr Neil Evans, at the stunning Southwell Minster.
Nottinghamshire Scouts was represented by Jack Kellas (County Youth Lead), Victoria Nicholson (District Youth Lead), Mia, Leighton, and Nancy.
Their visit got off to an exciting start as, by chance the Scouts stumbled into the Lord-Lieutenant on her way to the Minster in her full and impressive regalia. The Scouts shook the Lord-Lieutenant's hand and accompanied her to the Minster, whilst chatting about her work representing the King in Nottinghamshire, and the Skills For Life they develop in Scouting. The Lord-Lieutenant expressed how impressed she was by the Scouts and, in particular, their understanding of the work of her Lieutenancy.
In her foreword, Professor Veronica Pickering said "It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this service, to celebrate the official birthday of His Majesty The King, and to recognise the vital role of our communities and all their many achievements"
The Lord-Lieutenant later went on to say "By mentoring our young people, harnessing their creativity and skills and encouraging them to pursue their visions for the future, we lay the foundations of a more hopeful and empowered generation". This statement, and the kind words shared directly with the Scouts, demonstrate that the impact of Scouting in Nottinghamshire is recognised and appreciated in our communities, especially by our Lord-Lieutenant.
Thank You Garden Party 2025
On Saturday 8th June, the picturesque gardens of The Archbishop’s Palace within Southwell Minster came alive with celebration as Nottinghamshire Scouts held their Thank You Garden Party. The event honoured volunteers awarded the Chief Scout Commendation or Award for Merit in 2024. Each recipient was invited to bring a guest to enjoy a well-deserved afternoon tea in the sunshine.
Hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Veronica Pickering, the event welcomed 125 guests, including special attendees Deputy Lord-Lieutenant Alex Peace-Gadsby, High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire Ed Attenborough, and the Dean of Southwell, Rev Dr Neil Evans. The glorious weather added to the joyful atmosphere.
County Lead Volunteer Jordan Phillips opened the event by saying, “You give your time, your skills and your care, not for applause and not for awards, but because you believe in the power of Scouts to change young people's lives for the better".
The smooth running of the day was supported by 15 Explorer Scouts from Raptors (Newark District), BEST (Mansfield District), and Fortis Explorers (Central Notts District), who helped professionally throughout the day.
In her closing speech, Lord-Lieutenant Veronica Pickering said, “The Scouts is helping young people with skills for life at such a crucial point in their development, and the earlier we can support people in sections like Squirrels, the better society we have. Thank you to the awardees and supporters for everything you do to help young people in Nottinghamshire”
The event was a heartfelt thank you to those making a difference in young lives. Don’t miss out—get your Chief Scout Commendation or Award for Merit nominations in early for a chance to attend the 2026 celebrations!
Join us as we look back on 2024, a year defined by growth, resilience, and celebration across Nottinghamshire Scouts. We saw fantastic census growth, the BIG Weekend made a triumphant return, and we took time to recognise even more amazing volunteers who make Scouting happen across the county. We also share some insights and look forward to exciting upcoming projects and events into 2025 and beyond.
Spring 2025 - Roll of Honour
Overview
Nottinghamshire Scouts are proud to recognise the dedication of their volunteers with the Spring Awards Roll of Honour. Between January and April, across Nottinghamshire 115 Good Service or Length of Service awards were presented across the county, celebrating the ongoing commitment of individuals who help deliver fantastic Scouting experiences. These totalled over 1,600 years of service to Scouting with one volunteer having completed an amazing 60 years service.
These awards honour the time, energy, and passion volunteers bring to supporting young people and their communities. Each milestone reflects years of service that make a real difference. Congratulations and thank you to all the award recipients during the spring term!
Shelley Camm (15 years) Rachel Fortescue (10 years) Justin Atkin (5 years) Susan Rawlings (5 years) Gareth Hewer (5 years) Sam Johns (5 years) Mark Hanman (5 years) Graham Allen (5 years) Tristan Thompson (5 years) Connor Morley (5 years) Christopher Wagstaff (5 years)
Bassetlaw
Long Service
Richard Smith (60 years) Don Beck (50 years) Kenny Newstead (25 years) Anna Scott (10 years)
Beauvale
Wood Badge
Nigel Owen (Section)
Long Service
Charlotte Flowerdew (15 years) Amy Langham (5 years)
Central Notts
Wood Badge
Matthew Biddulph (Section) Nicola Gray (Section)
Long Service
Christopher Bennett (40 years) Monica Sulley (30 years) Fran Ball (30 years) Richard Alton (30 years) Maria Ahmet (25 years) Sue Coward (20 years) Michael Rawson (15 years) Deirdre Bashton (15 years) Patricia Adams (10 years) Marianne Sharlotte (10 years) Stephen Robinson (10 years) Jim Simpson (10 years) Elise Adam (10 years) Hollie Miles (10 years) Jonathan Mosley (10 years) Matthew Biddulph (10 years) Kieran Sawford (5 years) David Oswald (5 years) Jonathan Wilson (5 years) Stu Parker (5 years) Adam Lester (5 years) Martin Tomlinson (5 years)
City of Nottingham
Long Service
Phil Trett (50 years) Andy Burton (40 years) Pete Hill (30 years) David Sherwood (15 years) Matthew Chadburn (5 years) Daniel Robinson-Smith (5 years) David Le Blancq (5 years)
Mansfield
Wood Badge
Sarah Bond (Section)
Long Service
Neil Hallam (25 years) Dave Poxon (20 years) Kelly Wyllie (15 years) Sharon May (15 years) Emma Baguley (15 years) Jade Clarke (10 years) Rebekah Thompson (10 years) Sonia Ingram (10 years) Robert Stanislawski (10 years) Alec Dubberley (5 years) Roger Ambler (5 years) Emma Barnaby (5 years) John Curtis (5 years) Amanda Fletcher (5 years) Matthew Bond (5 years) Samuel Scott-Hibbert (5 years) Joshua Scott-Hibbert (5 years) Norrie Youd (5 years) David Brailsford (5 years)
Newark and District
Good Service
Fiona Burrows (Award for Merit)
Long Service
Geoff Bow (25 years) Richard Sayers (25 years) John Nicholson (15 years) Elizabeth Burton-Wareing (10 years) Charlotte Savill (5 years)
Rushcliffe
Good Service
Clare Deeming (Silver Acorn) Andrew Cooney (Award for Merit)
Wood Badge
Jonathan Ainsley (Section)
Long Service
John Green (50 years) Alan Hubber (50 years) Kathryn Wykes (40 years) Geoff Briggs (30 years) Paul Clarkson (30 years) Leigh Woodward (20 years) Mike Plimmer (15 years) Ben Marson (15 years) Helena Dennis (15 years) Neill Clingan (15 years) Claire Pink (10 years) Shirley Harding (5 years) Warren Cross (5 years) Becky Phillips (5 years) Mhairi Pole (5 years) William Cullen (5 years) Mike Park (5 years) Fraser Cullen (5 years) Elissa Hawksworth (5 years) Craig Glover (5 years)
South West Notts
Wood Badge
Christina Wright (Section)
Long Service
Chris Phillips (40 years) Colyn Kemp (30 years) Philip McCullough (25 years) Bruce Coldwell (20 years) Shaun Dannheimer (20 years) Paul Dunn (15 years) Paul Jordan (15 years) Andrew Gardner (15 years) Katharina Meyer-Ohle (15 years) Chris Kingsnorth (10 years) Gabrielle Lynch (10 years) Taz Donnelly (10 years) Emma Macleod (5 years) Abigail Mcfarlane (5 years) Paul Newson (5 years) Simon Duke (5 years) Tamsin Wills (5 years) Robin Longstaff (5 years)
Nottinghamshire
Long Service
Chris Blockley (20 years) Christine Sheard (20 years) Sean Kelly (15 years) Caroline Crew (5 years)
The BIG Hideout
Introducing our newest event exclusively for explorers across Nottinghamshire. We are thrilled to announce, The BIG Hideout - a strategic game of Hide and Seek that will test your skills and endurance.
Do you have what it takes to evade capture and outsmart the hunters?
On 27th October, Nottinghamshire Scouts held their annual Oak Awards Recognition event, honouring over 20 volunteers and groups for their exceptional service to the scouting community. The event highlights the dedication of individuals who have played a key role in delivering essential life skills to young people across the county.
Jordan Phillips, County Lead Volunteer, praised the efforts of the volunteers, stating, "The event brings together volunteers across Nottinghamshire Scouts to recognise their contributions to deliver skills for life. It's amazing to see so many people recognised." His words reflected the pride and gratitude felt by the all those that attended.
The Oak Awards celebrate volunteers from various roles, including group leaders, section helpers, and behind-the-scenes supporters, all of whom contribute to the success of the scouting movement. Their work empowers young people to build confidence, resilience, and teamwork skills, preparing them for future challenges.
This year’s recipients represented the diversity and commitment of Nottinghamshire Scouts, with each awardee receiving recognition for their unique contributions. The event was filled with applause, appreciation, and a strong sense of community.
The Oak Awards serve as a reminder of the vital role volunteers play in shaping the lives of young people. In his closing words Jordan went on to say “Never underestimate the massive positive impact your volunteering has on young peoples lives, keep being brilliant”. Through the tireless efforts of many, these individuals help ensure that Scouting continues to thrive, offering invaluable experiences to the next generation.
Success in Ruddington
Three of our fantastic members from 1st Ruddington have recently won awards at the Rudd Awards. This event showcases those who have gone the extra mile in the local community in Ruddington.
Dan Clifford won in the Champion Volunteer category, joint with Sally Bears (a local Guide leader). Dan has poured hours of his time into Scouting over the years, supporting the 140 young people in his group through adventurous activities such as canoeing and camping.
Dan said “When I found out I had been nominated, I was really taken aback. It’s really nice to be recognised for the things we do, not that that’s the reason anybody would do them. There’s a big team of us, not just me”.
Young Leaders Ottollie & Emmeline Jones also jointly received a Rudd Award, this time in the Young Star award. This amazing pair are twin sisters that volunteer in the Beaver section, and have helped young people develop skills and confidence through the group — just as they did when they were younger!
The pair said “We grew up going to Parkrun, Cubs and Scouts. It was something we looked forward to each week, and so we hope that it’s doing the same thing for the kids that come to Beavers”.
“We’ve been from Beavers all the way through to Explorers, and we know that it’s such a great group, so it’s really nice to provide the support that our leaders did.”
You can view the award video featuring Dan here, and the award video featuring Ottillie & Emmeline here.
New County Lead Volunteer
As many of you may be aware we have recently completed the search for a new County Lead Volunteer for Nottinghamshire, after an extensive and comprehensive national volunteer appointment process, I am pleased to announce that Jordan Phillips has accepted the role of County Lead Volunteer for Nottinghamshire Scout County effective from 14th June 2024.
For those of you who do not know Jordan, he has been involved in Scouting as a young person, achieving his Queen’s Scout Award, and began his volunteer journey as a leader with the Scout section. Since then, he has gone on to take on numerous other roles, such as Nottinghamshire’s first county youth commissioner, county trainer and training adviser and a member of the county trustee board. He has a real passion for adventure and holds several adventurous activity permits as well as being an assessor for archery. More recently, Jordan has been part of the core team organising the Big Weekend. In his professional life he is a team lead at London Stock Exchange, managing a team of automation software developers based all around the world. He is responsible for delivering a quality product, which is something that I know he also strives for when volunteering with Scouts.
I am sure that you will all support Jordan in his new role as he continues to lead the development of Nottinghamshire with the county and district teams to continue to grow and develop especially with the Transformation journey we have embarked on as a Movement sharing our ambition of supporting more young people to gain #skillsforlife.
I would also like to thank Steven for all the hard work in supporting the delivery of quality scouting in the county and the enthusiasm he has shown in the role over the last six years, to take Nottinghamshire to where it is now. Steven has been relentless in supporting young people’s opportunities and enabling adults alike. Steven will now work with Jordan on a handover until 14th June.
I look forward to seeing Nottinghamshire Scouting continue to flourish and I am sure you will join me in wishing both Steven and Jordan well in their next scouting adventures.
