My entire family are involved in scouting…I didn’t have a choice!

I am told that I attended my first cub camp at 6 months old with 1st Margate St. Johns, when the cubs spent more time in my play pen than I did! Mum has always been a cub leader with 1st and my sisters and I were brought up with the young people and leaders at 1st Margate being like an extended family. Mum is now a district cub leader. Dad was a scout leader at 10th Margate, his roles have varied and he is now ADC Activities in Thanet District. Together they have an impressive array of certificates and awards for their dedication. They have always been tremendously supportive to me throughout my scouting experiences and for this I thank them a great deal.
I was a Brownie and a Guide with 3rd Margate and the day of my 14th birthday I became a Ranger at the Broadstairs Venture Ranger Unit (BVRU). These were great days and I made many superb friends which I am still close to today. We had such fun and 15 years on we still laugh at our various exploits and hikes, photos and memories.

It was whilst at BVRU that I become a member of Zimbex ’92. This was a Kent expedition to Zimbabwe to help build a clinic. This has to be the most memorable adventure I could have dreamed of and I would encourage any young person to grit their teeth, raise the money, put up with the exhaustion to join such an event. It has shaped everything that I have done since from the friends that I made to my thirst to travel and experience new places. Zimbex has always been spoken about at job interviews and opened my eyes to Africa as part of the developing world. With scout friends that I made on this expedition I travelled to Kenya a few years later and then the Gambia just a few years ago when I stumbled across the Scout band, they were impressive! I could talk forever on my scouting experience in Africa and often did as many of my friends and scouters in Thanet at the time will tell you!

During these years I was a regular treading the boards with the Gang Show. I started as a very young guide and continued on the stage until I went to University. I then moved on to help with the choreography until it became impossible to keep travelling down from London every weekend. I then had to bid Gang Show farewell but it still felt as though I was part of it with my mum making the costumes, nieces beginning to perform, my sister doing the choreography and Dad working behind the scenes.

During my university years and the beginning of my teaching career in SW London I continued to be an active member of the Fellowship, often hosting the entire young fellowship in my flat because it was near Chessington World Of Adventures, this day out appeared regularly on the programme of events it seemed! Many of my friends from BVRU had moved on to Fellowship also and we had many great weekends away. Dad and the Activities team often required help and weekends home often centred round a district event.

In 1999 I married Steve; the most patient, supportive and laid back non-scouter! How sensible!

It was only weeks after my return to Thanet in 2001 when the DC asked me to do the District Public Relations job which I took on board. I enjoyed this role and liked visiting groups and the numerous events for all sections that go on in the district. I had a brief return to the Gang Show in this role too. I continued to be part of Fellowship and became very active with the Activities Committee.

In 2003 Steve and I had a baby boy, Sam, and he can regularly be seen at scout events and maintenance weekends at the campsite. Not many two year olds get up in the morning and ask if we are going the campsite again today? He even has his own building gloves so he can muck in!

At the end of 2004, came the request to be part of the DC team, a role which is time consuming but is (so far!) enjoyable and rewarding. I take particular responsibility for areas in the district such as the Campsite, Fellowship, Gang Show, Activities and Media relations.

As Deputy District Commissioner for Thanet I work alongside Cath and Denise to get our young people to enjoy scouting as much as I have done and continue to do so, to get our young people to get the friendships that I have been so lucky to make and finally to ensure our adults continue to be rewarded for their time and efforts and they too continue to enjoy and have fun.

I am very proud to be part of Thanet District Scouts and believe that the district is really providing good quality scouting for many young people.