Over 300 members from every age group of Scouting in Essex met for a celebration with the UK’s Chief Scout, TV Actor and Presenter Peter Duncan, at a special celebration afternoon at Audley End House and Gardens, near Saffron Walden. The celebration was held for all Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts who had achieved respectively, the Bronze, Silver and Gold or the Platinum and Diamond Chief Scout Award for Explorer Scouts. Amongst the people receiving awards were George Sleigh from West Bergholt, Colchester who completed tennis and activities outdoors while Timothy Gardiner from 17th Colchester continued to learn the accordion and to progress in swimming and received their Bronze Chief Scout Award. Matthew Read from 26th Colchester took part in many activities to achieve his award and said, “I enjoyed working on the outdoors challenges and really enjoyed the map reading exercises.” Olivia Gibson also from 26th Colchester is a keen swimmer and passed grade 7 to also achieve, with Matthew, her Silver Chief Scout Award. Matthew Nash from 34th Colchester and Tom Callaby from 46th Colchester both undertook a number of activities and achieved the Gold Chief Scout Award. David Murgla and Emma Hunt are both members of Legacy Explorer Scout Unit, Colchester and both undertook Leadership skills with Beaver Scouts, completed hiking in The Netherlands and through Thetford Forest. Emma Howse from central Colchester also undertook activities at the World Jamboree in Thailand to complete their Diamond Chief Scout Award. Tiffany Jo Golding from Colchester has achieved her Platinum Chief Scout Award by attaining good standards in swimming and hiking, she said, “I took part in a number of challenges including a 2 mile swim, achieving my bronze life-saving medallion and taking part in hiking competitions.” The awards were presented by Chris Nagle, Manager for the 6-14 age group of Scouting and Rob Lyon, County Commissioner for Essex. | 
