THERE WERE celebrations at 1st Mossley Scout Group as four members became the first members in more than 30 years to achieve the prestigious Chief Scout’s Gold Award.
The milestone was marked during the group’s AGM and awards evening, held at Baden House on Tuesday, July 14, where Beavers, Cubs and Scouts were presented with the badges and awards they have earned over the past six months.
Alongside activity and challenge badges, Bronze, Silver and Gold Chief Scout Awards were presented, as well as leader and young people’s choice awards for each section and a memorial award recognising the most improved member of 1st Mossley.
The evening also included performances from the younger sections, with the Beavers entertaining the audience with a song about a baby bumble bee, while one Cub, who will move up to Scouts in September, read a poem celebrating the values of Scouting.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Chief Scout’ Gold Awards to Cian, Ell, JJ and Niamh, all members of 1st Mossley Scout Group, which is part of the Tame Valley Scout District in the Greater Manchester East Scout County.
According to District Lead Volunteer Andrew Stone, it is the first time in more than three decades that anyone from 1st Mossley has achieved the award.
All four recipients live in Mossley and have progressed through the Scout movement together, starting in Beavers before moving through Cubs and into Scouts. Each had already earned their Bronze and Silver Chief Scout Awards before completing the final stage of the programme.
The Chief Scout’s Gold Award is the highest award available in the Scout section and requires young people to complete six activity or staged activity badges of their choice alongside all nine challenge awards.
These challenges cover everything from outdoor survival and expedition skills to community volunteering, global awareness, leadership and practical life skills.
Their final challenge saw the group plan and complete an expedition from Mossley to Linnet Clough Scout Camp. They travelled independently using public transport through Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester before reaching Marple Bridge, where they hiked to the campsite.
After camping overnight, they continued their journey on foot to Werneth Low the following day.
Throughout the expedition, the four young people were responsible for researching transport routes and timetables, planning their hiking route, managing their time, shopping for food and cooking all of their own meals.
Along the way they joined a campfire at Linnet Clough, met fellow campers and documented their adventure with a series of fun videos.
Scout Section Team Member Tim praised the commitment shown by the group throughout their Scouting journey.
He said: “The Chief Scout Gold Award represents the culmination of the work put in and learning, across these young people’s entire scouting journey, from when they were four years old. We the leaders are super proud of what they’ve achieved and look forward to seeing them continue to grow in scouting, and beyond in the future.”
Andrew Stone added: “It’s certainly amazing the amount of work and effort those young people have put in, so proud of them, they’ve worked really hard to get their Chief Scout Award.”
Explaining what it takes to achieve the accolade, he said: “It’s a combination of work. They’ve done challenge awards over the last three or four years and it’s not just doing a single thing.
“It’s volunteering, doing things in the community, learning new skills, getting themselves out of their comfort zones and getting out in the great outdoors, like the expedition they did the other week. They’ve worked really hard to achieve it.”
Scout Section Lead and 1st Mossley Group Lead Volunteer Jess also praised the quartet’s determination.
She said: “Outstanding effort made by them all, which has helped them to grow their independence skills and knowledge.”
For the young people themselves, the friendships formed through Scouts have been just as important as the awards.
JJ said: “The best thing about Scouts is hanging out with my friends, it’s the reason I come to Scouts. The best thing about working towards my Gold Award was all the camping with my friends. Camping is so fun.”
Niamh said completing the award had helped build her confidence: “My favourite thing about doing the Gold Award was overcoming challenges, like being able to navigate on the expedition, planning the route and getting ourselves there.
“I think it will help me in the future and make me feel more confident. The best thing about Scouts has been that we do loads of activities and making friends. The next challenge will be moving on to Explorers, but I want to do it here in Mossley.”
Ell added: “For me, Scouts has been about the friends I made along the way. I like challenges, whether they’re physical or mental, and I always try my best. I think it will serve me well in the future.”
Cian said: “My favourite thing about being in Scouts is seeing friends who go to different schools. The most difficult thing about the expedition was the hike at the end.”
The four are now expected to move on to the Explorer Scouts section in Mossley, where they will have the opportunity to work towards the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award, which closely aligns with the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.
Founded in 1958, 1st Mossley Scout Group is the town’s only Scout group and continues to provide opportunities for young people to learn new skills, enjoy outdoor adventures and give back to their community.
The group is also encouraging more adults to get involved as volunteers. No previous experience is required, with full training provided, and leaders say volunteering offers the chance to develop new skills, improve wellbeing and make a lasting difference to the lives of young people in the local community.