Grantham man given Silver Wolf award for nearly 70 years of service to the scouts

A man has been given an award for nearly 70 years of involvement with the scouts, which included a visit to Windsor Castle.

After 67 years of commitment, Grantham’s John Twycross received a Silver Wolf, the highest award in scouting.

John, 76, joined the scouting movement in 1956 when he was nine years old and worked his way up through cubs, scouts, senior scouts, rover scouts and venture scouts.

He has spent most of his time in the scouts volunteering with the 9th Grantham Scout Group and more recently as training advisor and on the Active Support Team for Grantham District Scouts.

John talks with passion and enthusiasm about his years volunteering with the organisation.

He has travelled around the country for camps and activities, as well as visiting Windsor Castle for St. George’s Day in 1963 when he was part of a guard of honour, having achieved his Queen’s Scout Award.

John explained that he had to be there early in the morning and spent two hours “square bashing the guard of honour formed up inside the castle.

“We did not take part in parade but were seated inside St George’s Chapel for the service,” he added.

John was also part of the guard of honour at the railway station when the Queen Mother visited Grantham.

“I was even given the day off work, with full pay, that simply didn’t happen in those days!” he remembers.

On another occasion he had lunch in the Orangery at Belton Park with chief scout Thomas Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan.

John said: “Scouting definitely helped me get my first job at Barfords, it got me through the interview and I’m really lucky that my wife has been supportive of my volunteering, although she jokes she’s a ‘Scout Widow’.

“She was a guide when we met, and I left a scout camp to meet up with her and buy her engagement ring.

“Of course, I returned straight to the camp after I’d bought it. We even cut short our honeymoon by a day so we could get back for a scout camp!”.

John spoke positively about forthcoming changes in the way volunteers will learn the ropes in scouting and the importance of adult volunteers.

He said: “Everything needs to evolve continually, you can’t stand still.

“Changes will make it easier and more accessible for new volunteers to join us; you can’t keep recruiting youngsters if there aren’t enough adults involved.

"My role is all about making sure everyone gets trained properly, so we can keep on providing opportunities for our young people.

“It’s seeing those young people progress from knowing very little through to learning skills for life and knowing loads by the time they’re a bit older, that’s what keeps me involved!”

Only a select few scouters achieve the Silver Wolf Award, which is only awarded for service of a most exceptional nature.

“I think I’m the third person to receive it in Grantham District,” laughed John.

His award was presented at an event held by Lincolnshire County Scout Council at Burghley House, and again at the recent St. George’s Day Parade at St. Wulfram’s Church.

Eileen Booth, Grantham Scouts District commissioner, said: “It gave me great pleasure to present John with his Silver Wolf in recognition of his near 67 years membership of the Scout Association.

“John tells of his great pleasure and knowledge he gained while a young person, which has helped him through his life.

“On reaching 18 years old John became a leader and he’s not looked back since.

“I would like to thank John for everything he continues to do to promote scouting in Grantham, helping our young people gain ‘skills for life’ and encouraging them to become leaders themselves”.

If you’re interested in joining Grantham Scouts, either as a member or adult volunteer, contact dc@granthamscouts.org.uk