Focus on Tony Thompson

"The way to have something nice written about you is to write it yourself" Tony Thompson

Tony on Tony
Will anyone say something nice. I don't know but until somebody else starts writing the site then my piece will be here (ha ha).When I first entered scouting in the 60s I was smaller and things were simpler. There was no child protection, people did not sue for slipping up on banana skins, and we trusted people in authority to do their jobs.

Still here we are now. The 60's gave way to the noughties and all those things have come to pass. The focus which we are all sticking to is training and accountability. For this reason the leadership of Ticehurst scouts is putting itself through hoops to get national qualifications for things that we have done for years. What's more we are learning too. You can never keep up with everything if you do not keep practicing.

This is my second stint with Ticehurst scouts having run the troop as GSL (Group Scout Leader)and trying to follow in the giant footsteps of Tony Warlow. Tony is a legend in his own lifetime and kept Ticehurst flourishing when other small village troops floundered. After a short break from being GSL Jim got me in a headlock and Elizabeth forced me take up the reins once more as scoutleader in exchange for her taking on the GSL badge.

I shuddered at cold nights under canvas again and more loss of sleep checking tents for small people in the wrong places. I do get a kick out of the big outdoors and do my best to reconnect our young people with our world. Kids still love getting wet, lighting fires, cooking sausages and exchanging tall tales by a campfire. So there are opportunities for people like me and Jim to make a difference.

In 2005 Elizabeth stepped down as GSL to pursue other things and I took over the running of the group once more. The team that we have on board now is fantastic and with them 1st Ticehurst should flourish.

Skills and Attributes

Wood badge holder
Organizer of anything (even with no experience at all)
Nights away leader open ground,sites,huts
Climbing instructor single pitch climbing walls and towers
First Aider
Canoeing/kayak instructor
Camp instructor (lifetime qualification)
RYA level 2 holder (further training underway)
Surveyor/orienteering expertise
Pioneering/knots/lashings
/canvas/constructor
Basic level 1 Sailboarding
Survival skills
Scout hillwalking terrain 2 leader
Member of BCU,BWCC,BWSC,RYA,
MLA,BMC,BMA