Scout Honours

A NOD FROM THE QUEEN FOR SCOUTING ROLE MODEL Dot celebrates recognition in the Queen’s Birthday Honours

Alocal scouting stalwart has been awarded The British Empire Medal in the 2020 Queen’s birthday honours. Newcastle District Scouting Secretary Mrs Dorothy (Dot) Bailey was nominated for the accolade by both her employer and Newcastle District Commissioner Vera Bloor for over 30 years of dedication to the Scouts in Staffordshire.

Dot’s scouting CV is impressive, having organised events, camps, gang shows and trips, as well as providing unwavering support to youngsters and dedicating much of her time to developing and creating a successful and fun environment for scouts to enjoy.

Newcastle District Commissioner Vera Bloor told Newcastle Life magazine why Dot was put forward. She explained: "Dot is an integral part of our district and has continued to work tirelessly at both Group and District Level, in a variety of roles, for the benefit of the young people within the Association. This, is in addition to her responsibilities as a county training advisor, has shown her to be a shining light in our district, and a role model to many. Dot’s commitment, passion and enthusiasm to the District and Scouting as a whole is unquestionable."

Dot was thrilled to be named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. She commented: “Well, what can I say bemused, humbled, proud and honoured were a few of the things I felt. When I realised that someone from where I work had taken the time and effort to write a citation I was overwhelmed. I feel I'm just an ordinary Scout Leader doing something I love. I suppose the most appropriate adjective is overwhelming!”

Pictured is Dot with Bear Grylls in 2018 at Windsor Castle when she received a Silver Acorn award from the Scout Association.

D OT’S SCO UTI N G ACH IEVEMENTS

From 2007 to 2013 Dot volunteered as Director and Co-Producer of her Group scout show ‘Flying High.’ The performance became the first Group Show to receive national recognition and the show became bigger and more ambitious every year. From 2008 to 2014 she was also the co-producer of the highly regarded District Show ‘Castle Capers,’ where her expertise also allowed the experience of the young people involved to be positive and enjoyable, until she hung up her ‘red necker’ in 2014. (The Red neckerchief is worn by those part of scout shows who have been awarded National Gang show status).

Dot has been instrumental in several projects, trips and awards.

Her Scout Troop established links with a ‘friendship’ Troop in Norway, taking youngsters to visit the country and also hosting the Norwegian troop when they visited England in 2012 and 2016. She secured numerous Chief Scout Gold Awards and in 2015 took on the responsibility for the ‘Million Hands’ Project for the Troop. The project chosen had the effect of raising the profile of Scouting through the local, regional and national publicity it created, including being highlighted at 10 Downing Street. Dot has also personally supported many young people, in a variety of circumstances, including those with serious mental ill health conditions.

Dot’s hard work didn’t stop there. Known across the district as Mrs Christmas, she also organised the successful ‘i-Scout for Christmas’ event in Newcastle, which was linked to the Christmas lights switch on and associated festivities. In 2016 she took on the District role of Assistant District Commissioner Young Leader Training and Youth Development, helping Explorer scouts aged 14 to 18 to volunteer with local scout groups to develop leadership skills.

When, for the first time for over 10 years the District organised a full Newcastle District Camp in 2017, she took a prime leadership role in the organising and delivery of Circus based events for over 550 young people and leaders from across the District. This continued 2 years later, when she held an international themed district camp for over 600 young people.

NEWCASTLE RECOGNITION

Arange of Staffordshire people have been honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in her Birthday Honours, including three Newcastle residents who have been named as Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM).

County residents are recognised for their work in education, nursing, policing and local communities with the award of two CBEs, an OBE, an MBE and a dozen BEMs.

Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “One of Staffordshire’s strengths has always been the ability, enthusiasm and determination of its residents to make a positive difference to the lives of others.

“The response of our residents in recent months to help one another when times are tough has been inspiring and I’m not surprised to see some of those people honoured by Her Majesty The Queen. ”

Ms Susan Sheppard, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, received the award for services to the Environment. Susan is now a biodiversity officer at Staffordshire County Council.

Mrs Carol Kind, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, received the accolade for services to the community in Stoke-on-Trent during Covid-19.

Following a career in education running support for children in deprived areas, Carol retired in 2010 and set up The Hub in Fenton, devoting her retirement to creating an organisation which provides support and activities to groups of all ages. Through the kitchen she has arranged for specific foods tailored to each person locked down to be delivered by volunteers.

The Covid-19 virus meant the closure of the Hub in March and during lockdown she has arranged for her volunteers to do shopping for isolated members of the community, as well as delivering puzzles, games and daily texts and phone calls to keep spirits raised. She kept young people and the wider community engaged by allowing individuals to upload and share their own recipes to The Hub Websites. The recipes will later be collated and made into a cookbook.

She also created a private phone centre to deal with problems for the neighbourhood community. Many elderly members of the community are without internet, mobile phones or credit cards, paying for everything with cash, and the phone centre was an immense help to many elderly and frightened people isolated in their homes calling with genuine fears that their utilities would be cut off if they were unable to pay their bills.