Why the Rickard Shield?

The Rickard Shield is an annual competition created as a memorial to Mark Rickard.

Mark was a life long scout from Backwell that died from a brain tumour at the age of 40 in May 2003. Mark started his scouting with the 1st Backwell and loved hill walking and climbing. He became a popular member of the Yeolands Venture Scout Unit in Wraxall.

Mark studied Geology at Reading University and went on to become a geologist working on oil rigs around the world. Mark missed his involvement in scouting and was soon back in the area, living in Nailsea and training for a new vocation as a chartered surveyor with the Valuation Office Agency of the Inland Revenue. Mark’s studies and latterly deteriorating health prevented him from taking a regular role in scouting but for many years Mark was involved as a Ten Tors trainer for Gordano District. He was also a loyal supporter of Ceres Venture Scout Unit at Longwell Green and often joined them on camps, evenings and activities where he was known by all as ‘Ginger Mark’ – the Tea Shop Instructor!

You could say Mark was addicted to the outdoor life and, at one stage, was a Form M hill walking instructor, a climbing and abseiling instructor and a caving instructor! When not instructing scouts he would often go off on his own to Split Rock and abseil down just to climb back out again! Sometimes he would take friends down Swildon’s Hole and let them try and find the way out.

Mark loved working with the ‘Ten Tors’ age group (Explorer age) and it seems a fitting tribute to him to have a competition in his name for those people in Avon. He also loved the Mendip Hills so this was the natural venue for our first competition.

Mark was a scout through and through – trustworthy, loyal, friendly, considerate and with a great sense of humour. When having to face the fact that he would never recover from his illness he asked the consultant how long he had left to live. When the consultant refused to be drawn Mark replied “Could you be a bit more specific, I may have something on that weekend that I need to cancel”! What an example for all of us.

More than anything else Mark was a great friend to his fellow scouts and to his work colleagues, many of whom are here this weekend working to keep his memory alive and to inspire a new generation of scouts.