In a heartwarming ceremony this week, two volunteers from the 1st Rhyl Scout Group, Matthew Roberts and Dave Beard, were honoured with long service awards, marking a remarkable combined service of fifty years. This special occasion was made even more memorable as the awards were presented by the very cub scouts whom Matthew and Dave have dedicated years of service to.
Matthew Roberts, celebrating a decade of commitment, and Dave Beard, with an extraordinary forty years of volunteering, were both recognised for their unwavering dedication and the significant impact they’ve had on the lives of young scouts in their community.
Simon Williams, the District Lead Volunteer, shared his admiration for the duo: “It’s fantastic to see our youth members playing an integral part in recognising the hard work and dedication of our adult volunteers. Matthew Roberts, 10 years is a great achievement, thank you for all that you’ve done for Cubs during this time. Dave Beard, 40 years is nothing short of amazing, just think of the amount of lives you’ve changed for the better during this time. Matt, I’d say you have some catching up to do! A huge well done both,”
Gav Turner, the Group Lead Volunteer, expressed his gratitude for having the honour, alongside cubs Thomas and George, to present the awards. “It was my pleasure with the assistant of Thomas and George to award two of our leaders with their long service awards last night. Congratulations to Matthew on his 10 years and Dave Beard on his 40 years. I look forward to many more years working with you both to give the young people the skills and knowledge you have.”
The event underscored the Scout Group’s commitment to youth-led initiatives, celebrating not just the longevity of service but the quality of guidance, mentorship, and skills imparted by Matthew and Dave to their scouts. Their service goes beyond the years; it’s about the countless adventures, learnings, and growth opportunities provided to young people, preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow.
Congratulations to Matthew and Dave on their incredible milestones, and here’s to many more years of making a difference.
