6:50am Monday 8th March 2010
By Ben Davies
A scout leader is celebrating more than three decades at the helm of a Richmond group.
Since taking on the role at the age of 27, Lynn Milner has seen East Sheen Scout Group flourish from a cub scout troop of 20 to today’s 86 beavers, cubs and scouts.
The gardener said: “It doesn’t feel quite that long – although I know it sounds like a long time – because I do enjoy it so much.
“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t. I enjoy it because it’s good fun – it’s an adventure even for the adults. I’ve done rock climbing, caving, paragliding – that’s part of my everyday life.”
Mrs Milner, 57, who grew up in Sheen, but now lives in Kingston with her husband Martyn and daughter Sally, 15, said it was too tough to pick her best moment.
She said: “I don’t think I could pick one highlight. There’s just been so much I’ve enjoyed.”
She said the scout movement remains important because there is not a lot of opportunity for young people to do activities where they can understand risk, but in a safe environment.
Group secretary Victoria Denison, whose two sons are current and past members of the group, said Ms Milner was an insipiration.
She added: “Lynn’s got the energy and commitment to do it. The kids come from a mix of social backgrounds and she never turns anyone away – she’s offered an experience many of them wouldn’t have otherwise.”
The scout group will be celebrating Ms Milner’s milestone with a party on Thursday.
Mrs Denison said that while the party was being held to celebrate Ms Milner’s contribution, the group also hopes it will raise awareness about the need for volunteers.
She said: “Obviously the main reason we’re having the party is because you can’t let something like that go by unrecognised, although Lynn is a very modest person so she probably would.
“But it’s also a case of getting the message across that for East Sheen Scout Group to carry on, she will need more volunteers.”
Mrs Milner agreed, saying she hoped the celebration would persuade other people to join in.
She added: “It’s about networking and showing that it’s not as tough as you might think. It is about getting more people to enjoy it.
“Several parents have come to camps and said they wanted to get involved.
“It really is about ‘come and have fun’.”
For details visit eastsheen scouts.org or email lynn@ eastsheenscouts.org.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/trade_directory/