Like all Scout Groups, the 18th Cambridge only exists thanks to the work of local volunteers who give up their time to provide a programme of activities for young people. Below is a list of the leaders and supporters who are members of the 18th Cambridge Scout Group.

ALAN LEADER
Group Scout Leader
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EMMA ROBERTS
Beaver Scout Leader
Emma joined the 18th Beavers as a helper in 2000, the same year that her son got enrolled into the colony. She originally offered just to assist her husband, Barry, who was a leader with the group at the time, but over the years became more involved and eventually trained to become a leader. When Barry's commitments changed in 2002/03, Emma took over as Beaver Scout Leader.

Under Emma's leadership, the 18th has always been a thriving and popular colony, with Beaver numbers permanently in the 20s and a relatively long waiting list in operation. In 2004, she formed a formidable partnership with Simon Gates and agreed to tackle a troubled 14th colony. By introducing new ideas, stability, structure and a more daring and adventurous programme, they brought it from the brink of closure and turned it into a prosperous and popular community colony.

In 2006, Emma and Simon moved on to form the 12th and 26th colonies while continuing to pour countless hours into revitalising the 18th's programme. On top of this, Emma is a well respected member of the Chesterton community and, along with her mother, received a Cambridge Evening News Community Award in June 2007 for outstanding services to the area. Emma is very much the craftsman of the colony and is full of wonderful craft ideas. She is enthusiastic, keen to help out however she can and her greatest quality is her personality...very approachable, understanding, talkative and easy-going.

SIMON K. GATES
District Commissioner and Assistant Beaver Scout Leader
Simon was introduced to the 18th Beavers in 2002 by the then Assistant Beaver Leader, Chris Gawthrop-Bleet, at a time when the colony was suffered a momentary leadership shortage. He was invited, along with his sister, to help out temporarily to cover the shortage. It turned out to be one of the most inspirational experiences of his life, so within weeks Simon agreed to become a permanent leader with the group.

In 2004, Simon set out on a personal challenge to discover more about Scouting by visiting different districts around the country. At the same time, he accepted the chance to help turn around a troubled 14th Cambridge colony and with Emma's help, gave it stability and exceptional growth. After two years of temporary charge, he handed the colony over to a permanent leader and began putting together plans for an entirely new colony at the 12th...which proved so successful that it led to the formation of the 26th colony a few months later.

More recently, Simon has been heavily involved with the County Media and County Beaver Team, alongside his commitment to the 12th, 18th & 26th Cambridge. He has also taken an active role in developing the Beaver section at district level and in September 2006, was awarded a County Council Volunteer of the Year Award for "Inspirational Services" to Scouting at the age of 21. Two years later, aged 23, Simon was appointed as the youngest District Commissioner for Cambridge Scouting.

Simon describes himself as a compulsive workaholic but is also surprisingly easy-going, even-tempered and caring, though he admits coming across as quite reserved. His greatest quality, as well as the thing he values the most, is loyalty.

CHARLES BROWN
Cub Scout Leader
Charles Brown was born in Middlesborough in 19£$.  He joined the Billingham Synthonia Cub Scouts at the age of 8 and in time moved on to Scouts.  As if Scouting was'nt exciting enough he joined the Army at 16 and became a Royal Engineer.  Having served in such countries as Germany, The Falkland Islands, Cyprus and Kuwait he left the Army in 1994 and is now working as a HGV Driver for a local Builders Merchant.

Charles re-joined Scouting as a Parent Helper when his children, Mark & Matthew, joined Beavers. He moved on up to Cubs and became an Assistant Leader and eventually was Invested as Akela on 1st August 2007 during the Centenary Sunrise Promise Ceremony.  Charles loves Scouting and wants to pass on skills he learned as a Scout and a Sapper to the next generation of Cub Scouts.

CHRIS GAWTHROP-BLEET
Assistant Cub Scout Leader
Chris, also known as 'Baloo', was a former Beaver and Cub Scout at the 18th. Even during his scouting days he knew he would like to become a leader and at the age of 15, fulfilled this desire by becoming an assistant at the group. In his first few years, he worked towards his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and began training as an adult leader under Alan's watchful eye.

In 2004, Chris spent some time away from the group as an activity instructor for a reputable youth leisure organisation. After some time in France and Wales, he eventually returned to scouting as a Beaver leader with the 14th Cambridge. He continued to take the group from strength to strength and managed to enlarge the adult leadership team during his tenure. After two years in charge and a change of employment, he handed the reigns over and spent some time developing other skills and hobbies before returning for a third go.

Nowadays, Chris is the assistant Cub Leader with the 18th. He received a nomination for 'Millennium Volunteer of the Year' and also fronted an extremely successful media campaign for the County Cub trip to York. Chris is a Young Spokesperson for Scouting and has had a huge presence in promoting the movement as County Media Development Manager in 2006 and 2007. His greatest trait is...he's passionate about life, the outdoors and cheese!...but unfortunately ladies, he's taken!

MARK BROWN
Young Cub Scout Leader
Profile to appear here...

ROBBIE JAGGER
Troop Assistant
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STEVE MOUNSEY
Troop Assistant
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