David's 60 Years

Speech!

"In 1964 the world was a very different place.

To help put that difference into context for our young people. Our third TV channel had just been launched, but all three channels were in black and white. Not colour.

Less than one in three families had a home phone.

And the very first BASIC computer programme was run, but most people would never have seen a computer.

The Scout Association was still called The Boy Scout Association. There were no female members, and there were no Beavers.

And in this very different world, one David Norton began his journey in Scouting as a Wolf Cub at 11th Leicester. Becoming one of circa 10 million Scouts worldwide.

Scouting was in David’s genes. His Dad was Senior Scout Leader at 11th, and an aunt was Bagheera to the Wolf Cubs whilst Mum was a Guide Leader and District Commissioner.

And whilst David would admit there have been some interruptions in that Scouting journey, 60 years later he is now Group Scout Leader at 6th Rugby.

I truly believe that until you have worked alongside David (which I’ve been doing for over 8 years now, our first camp together was Cub 100 in 2016) you don’t appreciate how much work he does. Not just for the Scouts, but for the Beavers, Cubs, and now our Young Leaders. And he also has a role helping maintain our District campsite at Coton.

Today, after 60 years in Scouting, David leads a Group of over 50 young people part of a worldwide family of circa 54 million with 6 uniformed leaders. Of the Scouts, over half of them have been with 6th Rugby since they were Beavers. A fantastic retention. And we should mention Shere Khan AKA Samuel, now a uniformed leader who started with 6th Rugby as a Beaver.

David leads a team delivering a Scouting program that actively engages and supports young people in their personal development. Empowering them to make a positive contribution to our society. Promoting our values of integrity, respect for ourselves and others, care for others and our world, an awareness of and respect for the multiple faiths that make up our community, and cooperation to make a positive difference.

Scouting is more relevant now than perhaps it has been for some time. The demand to join Scouts is at its highest level since World War 2. We have circa 100,000 young people on our waiting list. We’re very fortunate in 6th Rugby to have David’s skills, experience, and continued support. And Scouting needs more volunteers if we’re to reduce our waiting list.

To finish with David’s own words. A life in Scouting is a life of meaning, pleasure, and fulfillment.

Congratulations David on 60 years a Scout."