#TeamCheshire has restructured
Today, we’re excited to announce our brand new #TeamCheshire structure. Following an open call process, we’d like to thank everyone who volunteered to join our County team, and congratulate those who have been appointed to support Cheshire’s 10 Districts and 147 Groups over the coming years.
With a total membership of 13,973, it is an exciting time to be involved in Scouting in Cheshire as we adjust and recover from the coronavirus pandemic whilst continuing our current strategy to prepare better futures and deliver Skills For Life to young people who want to access Scouting.
Below you can get to know the new members to our team.
You can also view our full team here.
Dave Hopley
County Commissioner
[email protected]
Dave has been a member of The Scouts since the age of six. He started his adult leadership journey as Assistant Scout Leader at 1st Over St Johns in Winsford, shortly after gaining his Queen’s Scout Award. He was appointed as Assistant County Commissioner (Scouts) in 2007, having volunteered on the National Scout section support team since 2004. In 2011 he became Deputy County Commissioner, a role has held ever since. Dave has been instrumental in driving youth engagement in Cheshire and was a Cheshire Unit Leader to the World Scout Jamboree in Japan.
Professionally, Dave is Director of Student Services for Stoke on Trent College. Outside of work and Scouts, you can find Dave running, walking, spending time with his family and friends, as well as skiing and travelling. In January, Dave picked up his whippet puppy Otis who keeps him on his toes!
Graham Proctor
Deputy County Commissioner (Programme)
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Graham is originally from Edinburgh where he was a member of every Scout section. Since moving to the North West of England in 2011, Graham has been an Assistant Scout & Explorer Leader in Sandbach and has most recently been the Explorer Scout Commissioner for Cheshire Scouts. He is also the Artistic Director of Crewe Gang Show where he is responsible for leading the creative production team.
Professionally, Graham is a percussionist, musical director and music teacher. He specialises in Brazilian Samba bateria drumming since studying in Rio de Janeiro. Locally, Graham teaches world percussion classes and workshops across several primary and secondary schools in Cheshire and performs regularly as a founding member of the Manchester International Roots Orchestra.
Ruth Clemson
Assistant County Commissioner (Beaver Scouts)
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Ruth coordinates groups for adults with a learning disability and/or autism for a charity based in Merseyside. In Scouting Ruth has been a Beaver Leader for 12 years and more recently has taken on an additional role of Assistant Explorer Leader (Young Leaders) Outside of work and Scouting, you can find Ruth watching her local rugby league team St Helens or meeting friends for dinner.
Charlotte O’Brien
Assistant County Commissioner (Scouts)
[email protected]
Charly is a Gymnastics Trampoline Coach, training children from 6 to 18 years in both competitive and recreational settings. She has been involved with scouting all her life however her most recent role has been District Youth Commissioner in Alderley District. When not Scouting Charly enjoys meeting with friends, hiking, climbing, horse riding and kayaking!
Amelia Riley
Assistant County Commissioner (Explorer Scouts)
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Outside of Scouting, Amelia is Second in Department teaching Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish/French/German) in a high school. Having only started Scouting herself at the age of 10, her leadership journey began as a Cub Leader with a pack in Lancashire whilst at University. She then continued this journey on her year abroad in Spain, volunteering as a leader with a local Cub pack whilst practising her Spanish at the same time. Upon returning home after graduation Amelia took over running her local Explorer Scout Unit, and in 2019 was part of the leadership team that led one of the Cheshire Units to the World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia. When she is not Scouting/teaching/sleeping, Amelia can be found on various hockey pitches across the North West playing hockey for her local team.
Carol Frain
Assistant County Commissioner (Top Awards)
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Carol works as the Supporter Care and Lottery Manager in the Fundraising team at East Cheshire Hospice, supporting the team to raise £8,000 each day to keep the Hospice open. Carol has been in Scouting for over 40 years, starting as a Cub instructor whilst working towards her Queen’s Guide Award. Weird but true, she also lived at Baden Powell House for the first two years of her degree at London University! When she and her husband moved to Mobberley, they answered an advert in the parish news to donate a cooker to the newly built local scout and guide hut. The reply was “we already have a cooker thank you but we don’t have a Beaver leader”. The rest, as they say, is history leading eventually to her finding her “happy place” supporting Cheshire Scouts achieve their DofE and QSA awards. Away from scouting Carol enjoys spending time with her family, baking and walking.
Val Thomason
Deputy County Commissioner (People)
[email protected]
Val is now retired, but previously worked in adult training at a local college. Having started her Scouting life as an ACSL with 1st Moore, she has held various roles until becoming Deputy County Commissioner in 2007. Outside of Scouting, Val enjoys walking, gardening and is the Chair of a local flower club.
John Bennett
County Safety Adviser
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John is a retired police officer and company director with many years of experience in the world of safety. Once a Cub and Scout in Buckinghamshire, John moved north becoming a warranted leader in South West Cheshire in the 1970’s. John is cuurrently the GSL with Wistaston Scouts (35th SWC) as well as District Secretary for South West Cheshire, Cheshire Hike and Chamboree’s Director of Safety, and also holds involvement in Crewe Gang Show.
In the non-Scouting world John enjoys foreign travel, as well as spending time with his Golden Retriever. In between this, he is a sports fan, with rugby, soccer, and cricket being the favourites.
Laura Dyer
County Safeguarding Adviser
[email protected]
Laura has been a primary school teacher for over 10 years. She has been part of Scouting since the age of 16 when she was an Explorer Scout. She has held the role of ABSL at her local group alongside various other Scouting roles at District and County level. Outside of Scouting, Laura spends time with her young family and enjoys being outside on mini adventures with them.
Ben Nugent
County Active Support Co-Ordinator
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Ben works for a top 100 company Cheshire based Channel-only IT solutions & services provider. Having taken part in all sections of Scouting from Beavers through to Venture Scouts, Ben has held a variety of roles & is currently Cub Scout Leader, Bookings Manager for Queen Charlottes Wood & Clogwyn Centre. Outside of work & Scouting, you can find Ben helping other charities, travelling up & down the country & exploring abroad.
Andrew Little
Deputy County Commissioner (Perception)
Starting latest January 2022
[email protected]
Andrew works with the Youth Federation as part of the Pledge team inspiring the next generation of young people offering quality experiences with employers across Cheshire. He joined Scouting as a Cub and has held roles as a Cub leader, ADC Cubs and District Commissioner as well as being involved in large scale events since turning 18. With his wife Denise they enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.
Paul Brown
Assistant County Commissioner (Community Impact)
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Paul has been a member of Scouting since joining the Scout Section back when he was 12 years old. While still in Venture Scouts, he became a leader within the Beaver Scout Section at 18. Since then he has been involved in the Service team for a number of Chamborees, numerous Gang shows, held the role of ACC (Beaver Scouts) and until Summer last year was District Commissioner for Warrington East for 7 years. Outside of Scouting currently earns a living as a Project Manager in the Nuclear Industry, having gained years of experience through out civil engineering in the Waterway, Rail and Highways Sectors. In his spare time after retiring from playing football, he can be found most weeks flogging a ball around a Golf Course, on a rugby league terrace supporting Warrington Wolves or in the garage tinkering with classic cars.
Josh Diamond
Assistant County Commissioner (Communications)
[email protected]
Josh leads a Cheshire-based marketing agency by day, having started his career in web development, and holds a wealth of experience across everything digital. Having taken part in all sections of Scouting from Beavers through to Explorers, Josh has held a Cub Scout Leader role since the age of 18. Outside of work and Scouting, you can find Josh exploring the outdoors with his two dogs, whether it’s walking a mountain or kayaking down a river.
Ashley Hynds
County Supporter (Communications)
[email protected]
Ashley is a health and safety consultant, with experience gained working within chemical manufacturing, and the offshore oil and gas industry. He has held many roles within Chester Scouts, including Adult Helper, District Comms Manager, Gang Show ASU, and Executive Committee member. He also supported Chester Explorers fundrasing for EuroJam 2020. His interests include live music, homebrew, and pottering about at the family allotment. He’s really looking forward to helping share some of the amazing things happening within Scouting in Cheshire, both internally and with the wider world!
