Silver Wolf for Sarah

Sarah Kershaw with Owen Purcell CC

The Silver Wolf is the highest award made by The Scout Association “for services of the most exceptional character” and is an unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout.

Sarah was presented with the Silver Wolf by Owen Purcell, County Commissioner GLSW at the County Awards Gala Dinner held in the Grand Hall at Hampton Court on Saturday 5th February 2022. It was a big surprise for Sarah – she was attending the dinner as the guest of her husband, David Kershaw who was presented with the Award for Merit earlier in the evening – when Owen called her to the dias.

“We only received confirmation from Scout HQ days before the event,” explains Phil Hunt, District Commissioner, “Knowing that Sarah was attending anyway, we thought it would be a great surprise.”. And indeed it was!

The Awards Gala Dinner arranged and hosted by GLSW County is the first of its kind. Externally sponsored, the event celebrates the achievements of outstanding volunteers throughout the County and formally recognises their exceptional service and dedication by presenting awards and decorations.

Leaders and volunteers who freely give up their time regularly over long periods are recognised with Long Service Awards. Starting at 5 Years Long Service, these Awards are presented at 5 and 10 year intervals and are accompanied by a cloth badge or brooch. Some of our volunteers proudly wear their 60 Years Service badge.

However, Good Service Awards recognise those volunteers who go a long way beyond the service they are expected to give as part of their basic role.

Good Service Awards are not restricted to uniformed Leaders either. David Kershaw (pictured above) received an Award for Merit for his outstanding service over very many years as Treasurer to 13th Twickenham Scout Group as well as Richmond upon Thames District.

Clive Roberts (Award for Merit) with Phil Hunt

Also receiving an Award for Merit was Clive Roberts from Petersham & Ham Sea Scout Group. Clive volunteers with P&H as an instructor and several generations of Sea Scouts will have benefitted from learning boating skills on the Thames.

All volunteers who have been recognised with an Award of any type during the year are thanked again at our District Conference and Annual General Meeting which is held in September in each year.

A few more pictures of the Gala Dinner can be seen in our Gallery here.