New District Commissioner for Ellesmere Port and Neston

Richie Thornley has been appointed as District Commissioner for Ellesmere Port And Neston Scout District from 21st March 2022.

Dave Hopley, County Commissioner said, “Firstly, a massive thank you to Joanne Turner for her interim leadership of Ellesmere Port and Neston Scout District. Joanne has really helped to support the District during a challenging two years. I am really excited by the appointment of Richie Thornley as the new District Commissioner for Ellesmere Port and Neston. Richie will bring a fresh approach to the role, combined with his enthusiasm and passion for delivering Scouting to young people in Ellesmere Port, Neston and surrounding villages, and I am confident he will do a fantastic job in taking the District forward to a bright future.”

Richie works as an IT Helpdesk Technician for an educational consultancy company, where he is part of a team responsible for technical support for Schools across the North West of England.

Richie’s Scouting journey started as a Beaver Scout in 1992. He was appointed as Assistant Cub Scout Leader in 2004 in Willaston. In 2009, he moved to West Wirral where he served as Scout Leader then Group Scout Leader, and returned to Willaston in 2016 where he was appointed as Cub Scout Leader and District Communications Manager for Ellesmere Port and Neston Scout District in 2018. Richie has attended two World Scout Jamborees as IST, in the UK 2007 and Japan 2015.

Outside of Scouting, Richie enjoys Geocaching and Bike Riding.

Joanne Turner, outgoing interim District Commissioner said, “I would like to thank all members of Ellesmere Port and Neston for welcoming me into your District and for the help and support that you have all given to me. It has been a difficult couple of years for everyone. I took over two weeks before the first lockdown, so didn’t get to meet anyone face-to-face for several months. However, you were all very friendly and welcoming during the Zoom calls we had to our meetings and I quickly felt at home. The District has grown during these two years and that is thanks to the hard work of all adult volunteers in the District to keep Scouting alive. I hope that I will meet you all again soon, and I wish Richie every success as your new District Commissioner for Ellesmere Port And Neston.”