The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Top award for Angus Scouting veteran
A SCOUTING stalwart has been honoured with the movement’s most prestigious award for his volunteer commitment stretching more than six decades.
Former Angus area and District Commissioner George Blyth received the Silver Wolf in recognition of his long service to the organisation, but the 78-year-old missed out on receiving the personal congratulations of Chief Scout Bear Grylls after torn ligaments in his leg put paid to a scheduled trip to Windsor to pick up the accolade.
Instead George, who spent many years in Letham and now lives in Alyth, received a personal email and video from the adventurer and television presenter thanking him for his unstinting service to Scouting.
Mr Blyth said the Silver Wolf award has capped a thoroughly enjoyable 60 years as he now finally prepares to hang up his necker and woggle.
His Silver Wolf citation recognised “especially distinguished service, especially in uniformed roles” which also saw George awarded the Silver Acorn in 1992, with a bar added in 2000.
“Since this time George has continued to give freely of his time, experience, skill and Scouting knowledge to the considerable benefit of Scouts in Angus and across east region,” added the citation.
Since 2008, George has also held the post of centre manager at the Jock Neish Scouting Centre at Tannadice, near Forfar, an internationally renowned training centre. “Almost single-handedly, George has been responsible for ensuring the centre has remained financially viable,” the citation adds.
“Scouting continues to provide wonderful character building to the young people of this generation.”
“He is particularly adept at producing gifts in-kind and in recent years has driven forward the upgrading of health, safety and fire facilities.
“Undoubtedly it is thanks to George’s unstinting commitment that the Jock Neish Centre remains a quality centre for Scouting in Angus and the east of Scotland.”
Mr Blyth recalled being a Scout and leader with the 57th Perthshire pack, attending the world jamboree in Austria and gaining a Queen’s Scout certificate in 1953.
“I was also a District Commissioner in the Borders and on being appointed area commissioner for Angus in 1989 had the task of overseeing the building of the Jock Neish Centre,” he said.
“It is possibly the finest Scout camp site in Scotland and provides indoor accommodation for 50, shower and kitchen facilities, a games hall and BMX biking on a site covering seven acres.
“In September I will be retiring from Scouting and it will give me the opportunity to pursue other interests,” he added.
“Having seen so many changes over the years it is encouraging to see numbers increasing and Scouting continues to provide wonderful character building to the young people of this generation.”