CC’s Christmas Message

This year’s been a big one for Cheshire Scouts, with lots of challenges being overcome by our truly inspirational volunteers.

We managed to get the majority of young people meeting again, adding over a thousand youth members to our family, and we welcomed our new section, Squirrels, with 4 Dreys launched this Autumn.

We’ve been celebrating 35 years of Beaver Scouts, along with success, as restrictions eased to allow us to present over 400 top awards to Scouts, Explorers and Scout Network members. 100 of our volunteers too were recognised by the High Sheriff of Cheshire for their outstanding contribution to the local community during the pandemic.

We’ve selected 8 leaders and 72 young people to represent Cheshire at the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Korea 2023, and launched Cheshire Scouts Explorer Belt 23, the challenge of a lifetime for 16-25 year olds.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to each and every one of you, for everything you’ve done over this challenging, but equally exciting year.

I hope you find something to celebrate during these challenging times. For me, Christmas is family time, sharing good food, laughter, relaxing and reflecting on the future as the New Year draws in. I hope you too have traditions you enjoy. This season can also be tough, so reach out to fellow Scouters if this is a time you don’t enjoy, or need a friendly hello.

I hope you have a happy and peaceful Christmas, and may this New Year bring fresh hope for a bright 2022 for all of us, as we look forward to a relaunched Cheshire Hike this Spring, and a space themed, out of this world Chamboree this Summer.

Stay safe and have a brilliant Christmas.

Dave Hopley
County Commissioner
The Scouts (Cheshire)