Uckfield Scouts bound for birthplace of Scouting

A tireless volunteer is taking 4th Uckfield Scout troop on an adventure to the spiritual home of Scouting as part of their summer camp.

Russell Batchelor, an engineer at UK Power Networks, is helping 20 local Scouts, aged 10 to 14, visit Brownsea Island, where Baden Powell held the first experimental camp in 1907, laying the foundations for the worldwide Scout and Guide movements.

The assistant Scout leader, who has dedicated 15 years of public service to the Scout movement in Uckfield, is taking two days off work to help run the troop’s summer camp through Donate a Day, which gives all UK Power Networks’ employees paid time to support their local communities.

Russell said: “I recently started using UK Power Networks’ volunteering allowance for my voluntary work with the Scouts and I’m pleased to receive this support, which shows the company’s commitment to the communities we serve.

“My job working with electricity makes me very safety conscious and that helps with Scouting, managing risks and keeping the children safe.”

The troop’s summer camp to Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre, in the New Forest, from August 6 will also include excursions to Bournemouth and The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

Russell’s parents were Scout leaders, and he reached the highest youth award in the Scouting movement, so it was a natural progression when he became a Scout leader.

He said: “I grew up with Scouting, went through all the sections and made a rash promise to the district commissioner when I was interviewed for Queen’s Scouts Award that I would come back and be a leader! A few months later I started working for the company and volunteered as an assistant Scout leader. 34 years later, I’m still volunteering.”

4^th Uckfield Scouts meet at Scout HQ, Rocks Park Road, Uckfield, and caters for young people age six to 14. For further details www.4thuckfield.org