Top scouts recognised at memorable parade

Eight Horsham scouts were among those who achieved a Queen's Scout Award

Alastair Barnes, Toby Bell, George Fountain, Daniel Kent, Matthew Kimber, Henry Lowis, Hannah Skipper and Sebastian Turner were recognised for gaining their Queen’s Scouts Awards.

Bear was joined by Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO at the event held at Windsor Castle on Sunday April 24.

The Queen’s Scout Award is the highest honour in Scouting and is awarded for outstanding personal achievement.

This honour is achieved by young people aged between 16 and 25 who have completed a range of challenges, which includes service to their community, completing an expedition in wild country, undertaking a five-day residential project in an unfamiliar environment and learning a new skill or developing an existing talent.

Henry Lowis, aged 20, from Southwater was one of over 650 new Queen’s Scouts who received his award. He said: “I attend the parade in Windsor Castle along with 23 other scouts from West Sussex and over 600 from the whole of the United kingdom.

“During the inspection in the Quadrangle I had the pleasure of meeting Prince Michael of Kent who exchanged a short conversation with me, as well meeting Bear Grylls. It was a great day with so many memories and something that will stay with me for the rest of my time in scouting.

“I really would encourage as many scouts as possible to achieve the award so they can attend this very special and magnificent parade themselves.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support, help and nagging in some cases to help me achieve my Queen Scout Award, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the support of 2nd Southwater Scout Group, Horsham Scout District as well as beyond into support roles and those outside of scouting.

“There are too many to name individually so thank you.”

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “All these young people have lived the adventure of a lifetime to achieve their Queen’s Scout Awards, and I admire that spirit so much.

“ They are huge inspirations to over half a million Scouts in the UK and I am so pleased that Scouting has honoured them today. They are amazing.”

The annual Windsor Castle event has been held regularly since 1934 on the Sunday nearest to St. George’s Day (23rd April). St. George is the Patron Saint of Scouting.

Since the Queen’s Scout Award was instigated, over 100,000 of these awards have been presented to young men and women for outstanding personal achievements and service to their local communities.