✨ Avon Scouts AGM 2025 – Celebrating Service, Achievement & the Future ✨

Peaches Golding OBE with Mystery Explorers at Avon County AGM 2025

On Wednesday 24th September, over 120 people came together at Ashton Gate Stadium for the Avon Scouts Annual General Meeting — an evening of reflection, celebration and looking ahead.

We were joined by some very special guests including OBE Peaches Golding (Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol), Professor Sir Steve West CBE (Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire), Henry Michallat (Lord Mayor of Bristol), Alison & Cllr Prof Bharat Pankhania (Mayoress & Mayor of Bath), Graham Brant (Southwest Regional Lead Volunteer for Scouts) and Roger Starr (Vice President of Avon Scouts).

✨ Highlights of the evening

• 229th Cubs proudly opened with the Flag Break.

• Explorer Scouts Cordelia & Abi did a brilliant job as hosts.

• Chris Brum shared a snapshot of the Sailing Section.

• Bristol South Gang Show brought smiles with clips from their last show.

• The Scout Council agreed the minutes, adopted the Constitution, and approved appointments.

This was also a night of milestones:

• County Lead Volunteer Clive Sandrey continues to lead Avon Scouts, now in his third year in the role.

• Youth Lead Volunteer Ethan Harwood carried out his final duty before handing over to Antony Cole — a huge thank you to Ethan for his passion, dedication and the energy he has brought to the role.

• County Chair BoB Symons marked his very first AGM in the role.

• Treasurer Kevin FitzGerald gave his last financial report before handing the role to Ed Burke — Kevin was presented with Bristol Blue Glass in thanks for his service.

• Three new trustees were welcomed: Silvia Boschetto, Jed Williams and Mark Lee.

🌟 Celebrating achievements

• 4 King’s Scout Awards

• Duke of Edinburgh: 37 Bronze, 21 Silver, 19 Gold

• Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service: 130

• Award for Merit: 59

• Bar to the Award for Merit: 14

• Silver Acorn: 16

• Bar to the Silver Acorn: 3

• Silver Wolf: 2

• Long Service Awards: Cathy Harding (30 years), Alan Dempster (60 years)

• O’Neil Award: Simon Walker

Many of these awards were presented by Peaches Golding OBE, who also shared some inspiring words, alongside a short speech from Graham Brant.

The evening closed with the Flag being lowered, and our young hosts thanking everyone for their support.

💚 A huge thank you to every volunteer across Avon Scouts. You are the reason young people continue to learn skills for life, achieve great things, and make memories that last forever.

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#AvonScouts #ScoutsAGM #SkillsForLife #ThankYouVolunteers #KingsScout #DofE #Bristol #Bath #SouthWestScouts #CelebratingScouting