Group History
David Wright
A man with many hats...
David Wright joined 150th in 1985 as a Cub.
In the following 30 years, he held a wide range of positions including
· Cub
· Scout
· Venture Scout
· Junior Leader
· Quarter Master
· Assistant Scout Leader
· Cub Leader
· Scout Leader
· Explorer Leader of Hillsborough Explorers
· Group Scout Leader
Biography
Dave joined cubs in 1985 under Janet Robinson, moving into scouts in 1987. In these days cubs had but one camp a year and had to wear shorts and garters as part of their uniform!
There were scores of activities the scouts took part in during these times such as making ariel runways, building go carts and going on patrol camps without leaders!
As a scout he was keen for the troop to grow and for new patrols to be opened. In 1990, after persuading Bob, the Scout Leader at the time, he became the Patrol Leader of Bat Patrol.
He became a Junior Leader in 1993 and also reopened the venture unit with two friends that same year. The unit was very Active and won Shadow- a national overnight hiking competition later that year. Less successful were the Unit's football team 'AC Malin'. Over a two year period they managed to score 13 goals, conceding over a hundred.
In 1994, he became the third Queens Scout in the Group's history. Dave recalls his Canoeing expedition being quite a challenge for this award, especially the time he capsized and his belongings floated off down the River Wye!
In 1995, whilst an Assistant Scout Leader, Dave took on the role of Quarter Master (QM). The QM looks after the group’s camping equipment. At the time the group was meeting in rented halls and had no permanent Headquarters. Therefore, the group’s equipment was spread out in various garages across S6, making the QM role challenging. There was also a group 'rock' band Dave was guitarist for named 'The Mysterons'- their one and only hit was on Winter Weekend in 1997.
Also in 1997, whilst still ASL, Dave became Cub Leader following the departure of Anne Green. At this time, there had only ever been one Cub Pack. Activities at cubs were varied and included T-shirt painting, archery and woggle making.
In 1999, Dave had to move the pack to Wednesday evenings due to work commitments. He also stepped down as QM at this time. Numbers soared to 43 Cubs and, when work commitments eased, Dave was delighted to open 150th’s second Cub Pack 'the Kestrels' on Friday evenings in 2000.
The Friday Cubs quickly found their feet and, in 2001, won the District Swimming Gala, Priestman Trophy, District football competition and the District Cup. A ‘clean sweep.’
Dave strived to develop the thirst for nights away. There were many opportunities for youngsters to enjoy the adventure that comes with being away as a Cub. These included:
· Cub Summer Camps for both packs
· Adventure Camps for the over 9's
· Fresher Camps for the under 9's
· Pack sleep overs
· Weekends at Whirlow Farm
· District Sixer Camps
Dave was good at recruiting ex-scouts as leaders, meaning he had a strong team.
Many of the cub leadership team were ex-scouts and Dave was instrumental in pushing for the launch of the Explorer section in 2004. This meant his Young Leaders could also continue their scouting journeys.
In 2005, the Scout Leader, Simon, left the Group. Looking for the next challenge, Dave stepped into this position. Dave enthusiastically planned residential opportunities to build on the enjoyable camps that Scouts had enjoyed in Cubs. Alongside summer camps and winter weekends, he worked with Mark, an ASL, to reintroduce PL's camp (an expedition & adventure week for older scouts), survival skills camps, training camps etc. whilst also building a rigid training scheme and varied programme of activities on a Friday night.
He has plenty of fond memories of his time as Scout Leader- standing waist deep in the River Cover whilst leading a camp fire being one of the most bizzare!
With an exciting programme and two packs feeding eager Cubs into Scouts, numbers soared to over 40. The room was just too full and a second troop was needed. A former Scout Leader, Mick Garside, kindly volunteered to open the new Thursday Troop in November 2008.
Dave became Hillsborough Explorer Scout Leader in 2008. Whilst being SL, he encouraged Mark Marshall to look into Kandersteg and was involved in getting the Group abroad for the first time in 2011.
When the Thursday Scout Leader role became vacant, Dave filled this role on an interim basis until the changed leader team could fully take the helm.
In 2012, following marriage, Dave stepped down as Thursday and Friday Scout leadership roles, and
became GSL. With Scout membership at over 60, a new Tuesday Troop was opened in January 2013. Dave took on the Scout Leader role. Following paternity leave, and the success of others who had been covering his absence, Dave formally passed on this role in September 2014.
With exciting programmes and a second Beaver Colony feeding the two cub packs, a third Cub Pack was needed. In Spring 2013, as GSL, Dave supported the launch of the Monday Cub Pack. The Monday Cubs were popular and soon became full.
At a similar time, he also handed over the Explorer section leadership to others to take forward.
Mrs W fell pregnant in 2013. Following the birth of a son, Dave took six months away from the Group in January 2014. However, it soon became apparent time was very limited and he decided to step down as Tuesday SL in September of 2014.
He continued as Group Scout Leader until a stable handover could take place, and finally passed this role on in July 2015.
Over the 30 years, Dave ran section meetings at least twice a week for many years. He ran 28 different camps for the Cubs and 36 separate residential opportunities for Scouts. He was an assistant on many, many more.
Dave looks back on his time with the Group with very fond memories and hopes to return in some capacity when time allows.
In the following 30 years, he held a wide range of positions including
· Cub
· Scout
· Venture Scout
· Junior Leader
· Quarter Master
· Assistant Scout Leader
· Cub Leader
· Scout Leader
· Explorer Leader of Hillsborough Explorers
· Group Scout Leader
Biography
Dave joined cubs in 1985 under Janet Robinson, moving into scouts in 1987. In these days cubs had but one camp a year and had to wear shorts and garters as part of their uniform!
There were scores of activities the scouts took part in during these times such as making ariel runways, building go carts and going on patrol camps without leaders!
As a scout he was keen for the troop to grow and for new patrols to be opened. In 1990, after persuading Bob, the Scout Leader at the time, he became the Patrol Leader of Bat Patrol.
He became a Junior Leader in 1993 and also reopened the venture unit with two friends that same year. The unit was very Active and won Shadow- a national overnight hiking competition later that year. Less successful were the Unit's football team 'AC Malin'. Over a two year period they managed to score 13 goals, conceding over a hundred.
In 1994, he became the third Queens Scout in the Group's history. Dave recalls his Canoeing expedition being quite a challenge for this award, especially the time he capsized and his belongings floated off down the River Wye!
In 1995, whilst an Assistant Scout Leader, Dave took on the role of Quarter Master (QM). The QM looks after the group’s camping equipment. At the time the group was meeting in rented halls and had no permanent Headquarters. Therefore, the group’s equipment was spread out in various garages across S6, making the QM role challenging. There was also a group 'rock' band Dave was guitarist for named 'The Mysterons'- their one and only hit was on Winter Weekend in 1997.
Also in 1997, whilst still ASL, Dave became Cub Leader following the departure of Anne Green. At this time, there had only ever been one Cub Pack. Activities at cubs were varied and included T-shirt painting, archery and woggle making.
In 1999, Dave had to move the pack to Wednesday evenings due to work commitments. He also stepped down as QM at this time. Numbers soared to 43 Cubs and, when work commitments eased, Dave was delighted to open 150th’s second Cub Pack 'the Kestrels' on Friday evenings in 2000.
The Friday Cubs quickly found their feet and, in 2001, won the District Swimming Gala, Priestman Trophy, District football competition and the District Cup. A ‘clean sweep.’
Dave strived to develop the thirst for nights away. There were many opportunities for youngsters to enjoy the adventure that comes with being away as a Cub. These included:
· Cub Summer Camps for both packs
· Adventure Camps for the over 9's
· Fresher Camps for the under 9's
· Pack sleep overs
· Weekends at Whirlow Farm
· District Sixer Camps
Dave was good at recruiting ex-scouts as leaders, meaning he had a strong team.
Many of the cub leadership team were ex-scouts and Dave was instrumental in pushing for the launch of the Explorer section in 2004. This meant his Young Leaders could also continue their scouting journeys.
In 2005, the Scout Leader, Simon, left the Group. Looking for the next challenge, Dave stepped into this position. Dave enthusiastically planned residential opportunities to build on the enjoyable camps that Scouts had enjoyed in Cubs. Alongside summer camps and winter weekends, he worked with Mark, an ASL, to reintroduce PL's camp (an expedition & adventure week for older scouts), survival skills camps, training camps etc. whilst also building a rigid training scheme and varied programme of activities on a Friday night.
He has plenty of fond memories of his time as Scout Leader- standing waist deep in the River Cover whilst leading a camp fire being one of the most bizzare!
With an exciting programme and two packs feeding eager Cubs into Scouts, numbers soared to over 40. The room was just too full and a second troop was needed. A former Scout Leader, Mick Garside, kindly volunteered to open the new Thursday Troop in November 2008.
Dave became Hillsborough Explorer Scout Leader in 2008. Whilst being SL, he encouraged Mark Marshall to look into Kandersteg and was involved in getting the Group abroad for the first time in 2011.
When the Thursday Scout Leader role became vacant, Dave filled this role on an interim basis until the changed leader team could fully take the helm.
In 2012, following marriage, Dave stepped down as Thursday and Friday Scout leadership roles, and
became GSL. With Scout membership at over 60, a new Tuesday Troop was opened in January 2013. Dave took on the Scout Leader role. Following paternity leave, and the success of others who had been covering his absence, Dave formally passed on this role in September 2014.
With exciting programmes and a second Beaver Colony feeding the two cub packs, a third Cub Pack was needed. In Spring 2013, as GSL, Dave supported the launch of the Monday Cub Pack. The Monday Cubs were popular and soon became full.
At a similar time, he also handed over the Explorer section leadership to others to take forward.
Mrs W fell pregnant in 2013. Following the birth of a son, Dave took six months away from the Group in January 2014. However, it soon became apparent time was very limited and he decided to step down as Tuesday SL in September of 2014.
He continued as Group Scout Leader until a stable handover could take place, and finally passed this role on in July 2015.
Over the 30 years, Dave ran section meetings at least twice a week for many years. He ran 28 different camps for the Cubs and 36 separate residential opportunities for Scouts. He was an assistant on many, many more.
Dave looks back on his time with the Group with very fond memories and hopes to return in some capacity when time allows.
