The 2025/2026 Board of Trustees:

"Like many of my fellow Trustees I had an enjoyable time with the Scouts as a boy, and when I was approached to join the Board I saw it as a way to support the Scouts of today. Sue and I moved to Norfolk in 1976 and made the move to Hoxne in 2009, so we think of ourselves as East Anglians. My career started in London, in IT hardware and software and followed a management path, leading to advising organisations how to integrate and take advantage of modern technologies. In today's world, with instant feedback, I hope we can teach our young people to handle life's ups and downs, and give them experience of life in a safe environment is what those involved in the group strive to do."

"I have been treasurer with 1st Fressingfield Scout Group for 7 years having retired, following a career in accounting and finance. When asked to join the group, I was truly impressed with the dedication, commitment and passion of all the volunteers and the activities and support they provide for our young people."

"As a class teacher in a primary school not too far from Fressingfield, I saw first hand, the huge benefits and opportunities that 1st Fressingfield Scouts had to offer the pupils in my class. Even though I wasn't actively involved in the group, I have been interested from the side line for many years, and watched several ex-pupils go on to be young leaders. When I took up the position of as Academy Headteacher at Yoxford and Peasenhall Primary School, I was really excited when Andrew suggested we develop scouting within the school curriculum and operate a Beaver and Cub section. I now find myself every Friday afternoon amidst a large group of excited children, all learning new life skills and embracing new challenges together."

"As Group Lead Volunteer I have had the exceptional pleasure of leading a great Scout Group at 1st Fressingfield, I also have responsibility for our active and renowned Explorer Scout Unit. I have been involved in scouting for almost 20 years and have seen significant and sustainable growth in the Group. Previous experience includes Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme assessor, Norfolk Youth and Community worker and for almost 20 years as a Commissioned Officer with the TA and VR commanding Army Cadet Units. Professionally I am a qualified teacher, experienced Headteacher and currently the CEO of the Consortium Trust, operating 16 schools and settings across Suffolk and Norfolk."

"My role at 1st Fressingfield Scout Group is Deputy Group Lead Volunteer I have been a member here for 12 years, I was previously an active youth football coach until 2005. Andrew a good friend of mine and the GSL at 1st Fressingfield suggested that my wife and I joined him and his wife for the weekend camping with this group of 12 lads camping in Holt we had very little equipment and it was very old and basic but enjoyed the weekend of scouting. Well we were hooked and got talking about scouts Andrew suggested I helped out and then we started to build group bit by bit, well 12 years on our Scout Group is an exceptional Scout Group with outstanding leaders, young people and parents, all working together."

"I joined Eye Scouts in 1968, achieving my Chief Scouts Award when I was 16, and no we didn’t wear short trousers in those days! I stayed helping at Eye as what would now be called a Young Leader until I was 18 when I moved to Fressingfield to become Assistant Scout Leader. In 1978 I took over as Scout Leader. Unfortunately, my work moved me in 1979 and I had to move my Scouting to Cambridge. In 1986 work again brought a move, this time to Colchester and volume of work and family commitments meant I took a break from Scouting. In 1996 a change of career brought me back to Hoxne and I rejoined Fressingfield Scout Group when the Pioneer Troop was formed in 2012. In 2016 I became Scout Leader, and prior to that took on an additional role as an Assistant Group Lead Volunteer. I also have roles assisting the Treasurer with monitoring subscriptions receipts and with HQ and kit maintenance. My work outside of Scouting included 22 years in Midland Bank (now HSBC), with over 15 years in Supervision and Management. I then spent 6 years as a part time lecturer at Otley College and 20 odd years growing and marketing organic vegetables and acting as a Horticultural Business Consultant."

"I have been involved with the 1st Fressingfield Scout Group, as a parent, since my youngest started Beavers in 2007 (he is now the leader of the Wolf Cubs). I became a leader in 2019 with the Warrior Beavers before joining the Ninja Beavers. I have also been involved with Girl-Guiding as an Assistant Brownie Leader for 20+ years. At work I am a Teaching Assistant, working with SEN children at Stradbroke High School. I have been there for 14 years."

"I joined 1st Fressingfield in 2013 as the Adventure Scout Leader. Since the formation of the Yoxford and Peasenhall satellite group, I have become the Scout Leader there too. Professionally, I am a PE Coach and Outdoor Learning Instructor and am part of group's archery, shooting and fencing instructor team."

"Joining 1st Fressingfield Beavers in 2007, I have remained in the group ever since and have been fortunate enough to have participated in numerous camps and activities, most notably - the Explorer Belt Expedition to Kenya in 2016. Since becoming an adult volunteer, I have held a variety roles across Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and the Executive. Currently, I support the group's technologies and digital presence, overseeing the website and related content. Professionally, my role is a Software Engineer for BT."

"I was first involved in Scouts with Fressingfield as a teenager helping at camp. At that time they had very experienced Patrol Leaders who taught me about cooking on a wood fire, map reading, how to put up a tent and Pioneering, which is building things with poles and ropes which is great fun! When we moved to Cambridge I continued to help at camps, however paused Scouting due to family commitments. Being back in Suffolk I got involved again with Fressingfield Scouts about 10 years ago. These days I help at Pioneer Troop meetings as needed- still love the cooking aspect especially outside! I am also on the Board of Trustees and draw on my banking and business background to put together requests for grants (among other responsibilities). Raising funds is very important for the upkeep and development of our wonderful HQ and to fund various activities for our Young People."

"I was in the Cubs and Scouts when I was young and found it so rewarding that I encouraged my own two children to join. I am pleased to say both took to it have have both been enthusiastic members of the Beavers, then the Cubs and now the Scouts. A great change since my time is that my daughter can now join in. I joined the Executive Committee in 2014 as a parent representative for the Cubs. We aim to support the leaders who give so much of their time as well as ensuring that the group is run responsibly and effectively. Fundraising is another important role for us. Our next big challenge is the HQ project."

"I had great fun at Cubs at Earsham and Sea Scouts at Bungay many years ago, and was always enthusiastic about my children following the same path. I joined the committee in 2019 when my daughter was still at Beavers and now she and her brother are both in Scouts. I'm very pleased to be supporting the continued development of the Scout movement in Fressingfield."

"I was elected as the Beaver parent representative for the Executive Committee in June 2017. Having enjoyed being part of the Guiding movement when I was young, I am delighted that both my children are keen members of the 1st Fressingfield Scout Group - one in Beavers and one in Pioneers. Both thoroughly enjoy being part of the Scouting movement and participating in new experiences. As a family, we try to support as many of the events and activities as possible."

"I was originally elected as the Warrior Beaver Parent Representative for the Executive Committee in July 2022. Being local, I have always been aware of the 1st Fressingfield Scout Group and the incredible experiences and opportunities they offer young people in our community. So, I was very pleased when both my children expressed interest in joining the Group. My eldest is currently a Wolf Cub; and the youngest is now a Ninja Beaver, having originally been one of the very first Squirrels in the Group. I appreciate the dedication of all those who volunteer to ensure the success of the Group, which enables my children to be involved in the Scouting movement, and I try to offer my support as much as my commitments allow."

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