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Our County Team

Robert Sidley
County Commissioner

Locally known as Sid, his role is to lead Scouting in the County.

Before becoming County Commissioner Sid was mainly involved with the 5th Worcester Sea Scouts and throughly enjoys all elements of Scouting.

Harry Bantham-Jones & Fliss Jones
County Youth Commissioner Team

Harry has been Scouting since he was 6 and has really enjoyed his Scouting experiences in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network. He has learned many useful skills over this time and now enjoys helping Young Leaders grow their skills.

Fliss has been Scouting for over 10 years, starting in Scouts and moving up to Explorers and then Network. She is now a Beaver Scout Leader and loves teaching the Beavers new skills and fun games.

In their role as Team County Youth Commissioner, both Fliss and Harry help to ensure that Scouting in Hereford & Worcester remains truly youth-shaped and that all our youth members have the opportunity to contribute to their activity programmes, events and personal development, in partnership with adult volunteers.

Harry and Fliss would love everyone to have access to amazing Scouting opportunities and get the most from their time in Scouting.

 

Jamie Sandison
County Chair

Jamie chairs the County Trustee Board.

He collaborates with the County Commissioner to develop and support the strategic vision of Scouting UK, and our local County policies and provision.

Lynn Lee
County Administrator

Lynn provides administrative support for a number of elements in the County on a professional basis. These include:

  • Clerking the County Trustee Meetings
  • Kinver support
  • Administrative support to County events such as ShireJam
  • Website upkeep and admin
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme administration
  • Contact point for the County (heretohelp@scoutshw.org.uk)

This is a paid, part-time role.

Ian Newman
County Treasurer

Ian has been on the County of executive committee for a number of years providing key support to number of functions including our Kinver Campsite. Ian is responsible for all matters relating to money, property and insurance.

Abbie McFarlane
Trustee and County Scouter (Youth & Environmental Projects)
Val Leddington
Safeguarding Advisor

Val champions safeguarding within the County and helps to ensure the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults are at the core of scouting in Hereford and Worcester.

She supports provision to ensure members are up to date with training and are confident in implementing the safeguarding procedures of The Scouts.

Mike Thompson
Legal Support
Julie Turbutt
County Development Officer

Julie works throughout the County supporting Districts and Groups to grow their volunteer base.

She also helps to deliver volunteer development projects, including adult volunteer recruitment, opening new Groups and Sections, and promoting Scouting at local events.

This is a paid role, working in partnership with County and District Commissioners and specific project teams.

Meg Williams
Kinver Operations Manager

Meg overseas the Kinver campsite, the on-site activities, the infrastructure and the team of wardens and supporters.

This is a paid role, working in partnership with County volunteers.

Meg is also very active in outdoor activities and belongs to the Activate and the Kinver teams, providing challenge and adventure at the Kinver Campsite and at events all round Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

 

 

Peter Dodman
County Deputy Commissioner - Perception

Pete supports internal and external communications within the county, ensuring that young people, adult volunteers and the wider general public are all aware of the opportunities that Scouting provides. He is responsible for the County social media channels, website, media releases and adult volunteer newsletters. He joined as a Cub Scout at the age of 8 and never left!

Robert Williams
County Deputy Commissioner - Programme

Rob overseas the County programme for all youth Sections – Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network – as well as overseeing the Top Awards, the King’s Scout Award and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Rob is supported by Lauren Wheeldon (14+), Matt Fox (KSA) and the County DofE Advisors.

He is also a member of the County Executive Committee and the County’s representative on the National Executive for The Scouts.

Lauren Wheeldon
County Deputy Commissioner (14+)

Lauren will support Young People aged 14-25 and their Leaders with particular emphasis on increasing the number of Top Awards gained in the County – Chief Scout Platinum and Diamond, the King’s Scout Award, Scouts of the World and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

She is looking forward to creating the next generation of superb volunteers.

 

 

Vacant
County Deputy Commissioner - Activities
Alan Lane
County Appointments Chair

Alan has been involved in scouting since a child and currently Chairs the Appointments Committee, which ensures the safe appointments of County volunteers.

Rob Williams
MAPS (Manager of Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme) & Kinver Camp Warden

Contact Rob for any queries relating to your current adventurous activity permits – either to renew your permit or if you would like to discuss broadening your skillset and joining the team providing adventurous activities to young people in the County.

Rob is also a Warden at the Kinver campsite.

John Day
County Assistant Commissioner - Executive Support

John has been in Scouting for over 40 years and has held numerous roles.

He is currently advising and providing training to executive committees and offering support on good governance.

Ann Clark
County Assistant Commissioner - International

Ann offers support on all elements of programme and also advises on the administrative/logistical elements of international trips.

Matt Fox
King's Scout Co-ordinator

Matt supports the County Deputy Commissioner for 14+ Programmes, Lauren Wheeldon, in delivering the Scouting Top Awards and the King’s Scout Award.

He holds several other Scouting roles and injects Scouting knowledge to develop the strategic vision of Scouting UK, including our local County policies and provision.

Andy Hopkins
Assistant County Commissioner - Inclusion and Diversity

Andy is also a leader in Worcester and supports youth members in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in Worcester.

Phil Lacey
Assistant County Commissioner - Pride
Gareth Roberts
County Appointments Committee Secretary
Joe Angel
County Nights Away Advisor
Bryony Francis
County Scouter
Lee Russell
BushScout HW - Manager

Lee founded the national Scout Active Support Unit (SASU) “BushScout” to fill a gap in practical scouting skills – things like fire lighting, backwoods cooking, knots and using knives and axes.

BushScout H&W runs one training day a year and supports practical skills at other events throughout the County.

As well as heading up the County BushScout team, Lee is a leader with 20th Worcester and part of Team DC Worcester.

Click HERE for the BushScout website or HERE to check out the Facebook page.

 

Ellen Cockram
Trustee

Ellen was elected to the County Executive Committee in July 2022. She was also elected to serve on the Council of the Scout Association as a youth member. This appointment is for 3 years.

Ellen’s was Unit Leader for the County’s World Scout Jamboree contingent going to South Korea in 2023. She is also involved in scouting in Redditch district.

Callum Walters
Trustee

Callum was elected to the County Executive Committee in July 2022.

He is also a Cub leader in Worcester and recently went to South Korea for the World Scout Jamboree as a member of the International Service Team.

Tom Palmer
Trustee

Tom’s Scouting career includes over 40 years’ experience as Cub and Scout Leader and he now manages the County’s annual Scout challenge event, Operation Bald Eagle. He is also heading up the 2024 County trip when over 200 young people and adult volunteers will be travelling to Kandersteg in Switzerland for some alpine adventures.

Felicity Jones
Trustee

Fliss was elected to the Board of Trustees in September 2023.

As well as being a Trustee, Fliss is also part of the new County Youth Commissioner Team and is a volunteer leader with Beavers in Worcester. One of the things she really loves is being able to put young people’s ideas into action and making sure they feel well represented within the County.

Nature and the outdoors are languages that can be learned. Once you identify a beech tree, tie a clove hitch or cook a simple meal over a fire that you’ve built yourself, you’ll never forget it.'
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout Bear Grylls