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Dedication recognised in Methlick Scouts


By Kirsty Brown

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Methlick Scout Group have been celebrating successes recently, including two Queen's Scout Awards.

Hard work and dedication over the years paid off for Explorer Scouts Adam Simpson and Emily Watt when they were presented with the highest award available to young people in the Scouting movement.

The group were delighted to welcome Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire James Ingleby to do the honours of the presentation.

To achieve the award, members have to follow a list of criteria and personalise it to their own interests, including development of a skill and their physical well being, voluntary service, participating in a residential experience and undertaking an expedition.

In addition to this they must spend over 18 nights away, with a minimum of 12 being under canvas, and they must have been a member for over two years, and complete six items from the international, community and values list of tasks to help make them a rounded citizen in their community.

The pair have been commended for always striving to be their best.

Lord Lieutenant James Ingleby presented Adam Simpson and Emily Watt with their awards. Picture: Phil Harman
Lord Lieutenant James Ingleby presented Adam Simpson and Emily Watt with their awards. Picture: Phil Harman

Joining as a Beaver Scout, Adam has been in every section and is now a leader giving something back in the Explorer Scout Section as well as assisting at Cubs for his service part of the award.

He improved his physical fitness (and continues to do this) with regular workouts at the gym, which also helped him when undertaking his expeditions in the Cairngorms.

For his skill Adam is currently restoring an old Fordson Major tractor, which means that he has learned everything from engines to gearboxes to spray painting.

This has surpassed the required six month challenge which was required, and is still a work in progress more than a year down the line - although he claims that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

He supported various activities in Cubs for the 100th anniversary of World War 1 and planted poppies at the war memorial, and alongside Emily made recycled plastic poppy wreaths.

Receiving the award was all the more special for Emily as she is the first female member of Methlick Scout Group to be presented with a Queen Scout Award.

She joined Scouting when girls were first admitted in Methlick and has since worked through the Scout and Explorer sections and is now an assistant Cub Scout Leader, covering her Service element.

She undertook the same expeditions as Adam, as well as two others, where they studied the wildlife they found along the way as the project for the award.

She too went to the gym to improve her fitness, and this will help with her next challenge.

Emily was a member of the 2015 World Scout Jamboree contingent to Japan, and had an amazing time experiencing the culture and different way of life they lead - with over 40,000 people attending it was a camp she will always remember.

It gave her the travel bug, and she also went on the Scout Roverway the following year to France.

Outside of Scouts, Emily was an elected member of the Aberdeenshire Youth Council from 2013 to 2016.

Group leader Keith Hewitt said: “I am delighted that these two have worked hard to achieve this award, and have been recognised for their achievements.

"I hope both go on to be great ambassadors for Scouting and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.”

Both Adam and Emily have signed up to take part in an Explorer Belt Expedition in Denmark in 2021.

Volunteers in Methlick Scout Group have been recognised. Picture: Phil Harman
Volunteers in Methlick Scout Group have been recognised. Picture: Phil Harman

A number of Methlick Scout Group volunteers have also recently been recognised with their leadership qualifications.

Regional commissioner Dougie Simmers presented leadership awards to Laura Watt (Assistant Scout Leader), Adam Simpson (Assistant Explorer Scout Leader), Emily Watt (Assistant Cub Scout Leader), Ben Watt (Scout Active Support Manager), Lisa Massie (Explorer Scout Leader) and Ian MacLeod (Assistant Explorer Scout Leader).

Methlick is this year celebrating 100 years of Scouting in the village, and various events are taking place throughout the year to commemorate the occasion.


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