Presentation for retiring GSL Alan Warren

Alan Warren, our Group Scout Leader since 1995 is retiring from scouting and a special presentation was made at the recent AGM and Activity event at Hopehill.

Alan started scouting in 1978 because he was bored, his shift pattern gave him free time and he found out the local Scout Group needed help, when don't they. He started as a Pack Instructor with Hesketh Pack on the Fleet Estate.

At that time 1st Dartford had 4 Cub Packs and 2 Scout Troops and a Venture Unit. In 1978 there were no girls and the Beaver section did not exist. But we did have Peter Randall as a Leader and Tim Field as a scout. It was couple of years before Alan was pursuaded to take out a warrant and in 1986 he took over one of the packs in the Hall as Akela.

In 1996 Alan became Group Scout Leader. His first job was to find a Beaver Scout Leader. He decided to knock all the doors of the beaver parents and see if he could get some help. Only one parent invited him in for a cup of tea and that was Jackie Watson our current Beaver Leader.

What will Alan remember about his scouting career, his first camp, caving which he hated, rock climbing, abseiling. Meeting the chief scout and helping him, dressed in his kilt, into a hot air balloon. A visit to Brownsea Island where scouting started. Visiting the world jamboree in Essex. Rain and mud at our centenary camp. Alans trips to hospital, cracked ribs and with a nail in his foot.

But most of all he said ' I will remember the smiles and laughter of the kids and the fun and friendship I have shared with my leaders'

Alan Warren GSL 1996 - 2011 (still with us)