All our team give their time voluntarily to help the Group provide the adventure of Scouting to the young people in our community. We asked each of them to answer some questions to help us understand why they volunteer and what they gain from it too.
Hover over or click on each team member’s photo below to find out when and why they joined the Group and what’s their favourite thing about volunteering for 1st Clifton Sea Scouts.
Group Scout Leader
Peter Swann Assistant Group Scout Leader
Antony Hale
SCOUTS
Section Leader
Kathryn Surtees Assistant Section Leaders
Peter Ingham
Andy Jennings
Lewis Holdsworth
I started as a parent helper in 2007 and made the ‘mistake’ of knowing how to tie a knot when putting a marquee away! That prompted Peter to ask me to be a leader and it seemed natural to give my time especially as my daughter wanted to join Sea Scouts anyway.
I love the outdoor activities the best – Camping, Hiking, Boating – and seeing the Scouts develop in their time with us is very rewarding.
CUBS: PACIFIC PACK (Monday)
Section Leader
Joy Turner Assistant Section Leaders
Maya Holdsworth
Mark Turner
I started volunteering with the Group in 2013 for my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award but enjoyed it so much I decided to stay on and became an assistant Leader in 2016 then Leader in 2017. I like seeing the children learn new things and have fun joining in the activities.
CUBS: ATLANTIC PACK (Wednesday)
Section Leader
Barry Byatt (acting) Assistant Section Leaders
Theresa Etheridge-Clarke
Matthew Hornby
I was a brownie group leader for many years but had to stop due to family circumstances. I love volunteering, being around children and helping to make a difference in my community. Having 4 boys I soon discovered that cubs have much more fun than brownies and when I saw that the section needed some help I jumped at the chance to get back to volunteering and I love it!
BEAVERS: SHARKS COLONY (Tuesday)
Section Leader
Barry Byatt Assistant Section Leaders
Christina Chinnian
When my son was old enough to join a group, we chose the Sea Scouts because I spend a lot of time in, on and around water and thought I could give something to the Group too. I soon saw that the existing Leaders could use an extra pair of hands to lighten the load and offered to help – my Dad always said things didn’t happen unless people gave their time to make them happen. I enjoyed running the activities so much I took on more and became the Sharks Leader in 2013. It’s really great watching the kids grow and knowing they are enjoying learning practical skills and being outside. It’s mostly enjoyable but always rewarding!
I started volunteering just after my son joined in 2015 and the Leader asked for some parents to help out. I remember having some fantastic opportunities myself as a Brownie and a Guide and I volunteered to help the next generation enjoy similar experiences and as a way to give something back. I enjoy seeing all the Beavers grow and develop and watching them get their Chief Scouts Awards in the Guildhall makes me very proud!
I joined as a parent helper in 2014 because the colony was short of help and became Leader about 6 months later. I love seeing the enjoyment the children get from playing games and earning badges. One of the best things is when you get feedback from a parent telling you how much their child enjoys Beavers and the annual newspaper ‘snowball’ fight is definitely a highlight of the year too!
LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Skills Instructors
Alan Butler
Simon Mills
Richard Rowson
Gary Holdsworth
Adrian Carlin
James Ingham
Paul Mills
I started helping out in 1990 when my daughter was in Scouts and the section got so large that it had to be split into two sections and needed more adults to help run them. I was a boy scout myself (a little while ago!) and my sons and daughter have been through the Group.
I like the feeling of being able to hand back what I’ve learned and loved onto others and it’s fun just being a Scout.
GROUP ADMINISTRATION
Treasurer
Phil Stead Secretary
Philippa Cooper Active Support Coordinator
Deborah Watson Committee Members
Stephen Cavanagh, Matthew Gabbitas, Peter Dowling, Phil Bodmer, Andrew Thirlwell, Jennifer Marson
I joined as a Venture scout when I was 17 then went on to become an instructor, an assistant leader, then a leader. I retired as a leader when my own children were born although they did come on quite a few camps when they were very young.
I started helping again when my youngest joined cubs and I guess I never really left. This time I was there just to be an extra pair of hands and eyes, that’s often all that is needed. I joined the committee as well and then became Treasurer – it’s not difficult to make a big difference with just a few spare hours.
The best thing about volunteering for the Group is that you can make a huge difference for very little effort, and even today, my closest friends are the ones I made as a Leader (oh, and I met my wife there as well!).
I was asked if I was interested in joining the committee one day when I was helping out with a paper collection. I wasn’t even aware until then that parent’s could be on the committee so I agreed to join and decided that I would try and help the Group communicate better with parents.
I like that I can do work ‘behind the scenes’ that helps the leaders to do their roles more directly with the children.
My son has gained so much from being part of the Group and it’s nice to be able to pay something back.
