1st Great Amwell Scout History    

Scout Troop - Monday 

Anthony Dakin - Scout Leader
Sept 2010 to Present (previously ASL 1972 to 2010)

Anthony started his Scouting in 1960, as a Cub in the 26th Sutton Coldfield Cub Pack (Birmingham), where he gained proficiency badges and the old Leaping Wolf - at that time one of the highest Cub awards. At the age of 11 he joined their Scout Group.

In 1967 with his parents, he moved to Ware and joined 1st Great Amwell Scouts. He participated in many competitions and became Patrol leader of Bulldogs. In 1970, he moved to the recently formed Lygean Venture Scouts Unit, before returning in 1971, as an Instructor to Great Amwell Scouts. In 1972, he became an Assistant Scout Leader and over the next few years completed Leadership training and gained his Wood Badge in 1975.

Anthony has in the past specialised in canoeing activities, such a white water racing, canoe polo and canoe surfing. He has built many fibreglass canoes and in the mid 1970's was a key team member organising canoe activities, training events and demonstrations to promote canoeing within Ware scouts groups

 

In 1978 Anthony joined an American Scout group while working in California for 5 months. He exchanging knowledge of running scout camps and events with Long Beach Troop 74

Anthony also enjoys teaching key scouting activities such as hill walking, pioneering and camping skills. Over his scouting service he has attended many weekend events and summer camps and has lead numerous groups across challenging countryside in North Wales, Derbyshire, Scotland and England

In June 2010, Anthony was asked to lead and set up a new ALVAR Troop to cater for our expanding numbers. This also involved recruiting and training a new enthusiastic leader team.

 

Ian Devonshire - Assistant Scout Leader
September 2010 to Present

Ian joined the new troop as an ASL

 

Young Leaders

Jonny Dillon joined the Monday Troop as a Young Leader and Explorer Scout. Having enjoyed his time as a Great Amwell Cub and Scout, he is now hoping to pass on his knowledge and competition experience to a new generation of Scouts.

Additional Page Links Scout Troop Scout Year Planner Scout Fun Scout Fun 2 Scout First Past the Post

Scout Troop - Friday 
Phil Clayden - Scout Leader
Sept 2010 to Present (previously ASL)

Phil is an active member of the team having previously progressed through our Cub pack and Scout Troop. In recent years Phil, returned as a Young Leader passing his Scouting skills and experiences onto our young Scouts. In 2008 he become a ASL and is actively completing his Wood Badge training. Phil enjoys, Canoeing, walking and basic Scouting activities and is a valued member of the team.

In September 2010, Phil was invited to take over as Scout Leader for the Friday Troop.. 

Richard Clayden - Assistant Scout Leader
January 1995 to Present

Beaver and Cub dads beware. Like a lot of leaders that I've spoken to I came into scouting as my son's went through beavers and cubs. It starts with the 'father and son' camp and then you get asked to help on a competition camp and hey presto before you know it you've got a warrant, uniform and Friday nights out takes on a whole new meaning. I've been an assistant leader here at Great Amwell since Jan '95

My hobbies are fishing and sitting on the river bank in the middle of winter doing not a lot for 6 hours at a stretch. I also tell great jokes as any Scout will agree

 

Peter Cockman - Assistant Scout Leader
2000 to Present

Peter has had a long association with the group. In his mid teens he join the scout group (1968) and enjoyed many Friday and weekend activities. His favourite being sleepover's in Presdale's woods and building aerial runways, rope swings and cooking over an open fire.

During 1980, 1981, 1998 and 1999, Peter frequently supported the group as a helper teaching his pioneering building crafts and backwoods cooking skill onto our young scouts.

 

In 2000 Peter became a uniformed Assistant Scout Leader (A.S.L) and is still actively contributing towards the successes of the group.

Peter and a group of our scouts joined the Districts expedition to the Lochearnhead Scout Stations in Scotland. (Aug 2004/208), where he helped run walking activities in the surrounding mountains.

Peter was awarded his Wood badge 2008

Rebecca Johnson - Assistant Scout Leader
January 2010 to Present (previously a Young Leader)

Rebecca joined the leader team in 2008 initially as a Young Leader while attending Explorers and then progressed to an ASL. Rebecca was our first Girl Scout to pass through the Troop gaining many skills along the way. She now joins the Monday Troop and is keen to pass on her knowledge to members of the new troop.

Neil Farrelly - Assistant Scout Leader
September 2010 to Present

Young Leaders

Darrell Johnson is a Young Leader within the Scout Section who actively contribute towards activities at Troop meetings and weekend adventures