Veteran scout is recognised in King's Honours list

2 days ago

News image — Geoff Pinney, who joined the scouts at the age of eight, still has the wide-brimmed scout hat he wore as a wolf cub

Geoff Pinney Head and shoulder shot of an older man sitting on a beige sofa wearing a checked shirt and burgundy sweater. He is wearing an old wide-brimmed scout hat with a gold emblem on the front. — Geoff Pinney, who joined the scouts at the age of eight, still has the wide-brimmed scout hat he wore as a wolf cub

An 83-year-old man who has been in the scouts for more than 75 years has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM), in the King's Birthday Honours List.

Geoff Pinney, from Creech St Michael near Taunton in Somerset, first donned the scouts' woggle and scarf at the West Hatch Scout Group at the age of eight before moving up through the ranks to become the group's president.

"I made my [scout] promise to King George VI so that shows how ancient I am," he said.

He added that he had "probably devoted too much time to scouting" leading to his family making sacrifices, but it had been an "honour" and "surprise" to be recognised.

Largest bird to ever live in UK could make a return

'Pothole pandemic' after heavy rain and flooding

Man's charity cycle after cancer 'wake up call'

Pinney has been recognised for his services to young people in Somerset over a 75-year career.

He said after joining the organisation in 1950 "most of [his] enjoyment" had come from the "many adventures" set by his scout leader.

"[He] was a devoted scouter. We cooked on open fires, we had the range of Huish Woods which was about 20-odd acres in those days," he said.

"I got to know virtually every square inch - every flower, every tree, every bird - that's what really kept me in scouting."

Geoff Pinney Black and white grainy photograph of an older man in a suit and tie, holding two divining sticks in front of him. In he background can be seen a boy wearing a scouts uniform, who is smiling and the face of a second boy behind him — Based in Huish Woods, near Taunton, the scouts used a diviner to find a water source for a well, which was then opened by local MP Edward du Cann

At 18 Pinney became an assistant scout leader, before eventually ending up as an assistant district commissioner.

"We used to go off to camps for a fortnight, taking 20 boys - [it was] quite a responsibility," he said.

"I've got three daughters and a son. Often that was our main holiday, going on scout camp.

"My wife used to say: 'it's just not fair dragging the girls off to camp' - but they've often said it was some of the happiest times that they had."

Geoff Pinney A head and shoulder shot of an older man standing with his arm around an older woman and smiling at the camera. The man is wearing a scout uniform including a neck scarf and a khaki shirt with badges. The woman is wearing a red waterproof jacket and a cream jumper. In the background can be seen a campsite of green tents and flags. — He said cooking was probably his first scout badge, although his wife Sylvia "wouldn't agree" with him

Over the decades, Pinney said he has met scouts from around the world, along with former chief scout Bear Grylls, and been awarded the Silver Wolf - the highest scout award, for services of a "most exceptional nature".

"[Scouting has] taught me loads of life skills and of course we have girls in scouting now, but it's all the adventure that goes with it and all the activities," he said.

"There's now a badge for virtually everything. I think cooking [was my first badge] - although my wife wouldn't agree."

'Sacrifices for scouting'

Now president of the West Hatch Scout Group, Mr Pinner said he could not have devoted so much to scouting without his family.

"I probably devoted too much time to scouting but having said that lots of my ex-scouts have - said they had some great times in scouting and that to me sums it all up," he said.

"And, if you saw the scouts - the youngsters running around, going in the artificial cave, going down the zip wire, lighting fires, trekking, building backwoods huts and all this sort of thing - you'd realise that they're glad they've left their iPads at home."

Peter Bawler, chair of the West Hatch Scout Group, said Geoff has been an "inspiration to countless young people and adult volunteers" over the past 75 years.

"I first met Geoff when I joined West Hatch Scouts aged 10 in 1973," he said.

"I remember those early days in the 1970s were full of fun and adventure."

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.