Lifelong Warwick Scouting leaders are praised

John and Pam Hinks were last month presented at a Scout meeting with the special award for long service in thanks of their decades of dedication to Scouting and youth services in Warwick.

At the same time, former Guide turned assistant leader, Sarah Langley, was commended for her commitment to the troop’s Beaver club.

After joining the Cubs as a boy in 1947, John grew up and went on to lead the Warwick Sea Scouts in the late 1960s.

Less than ten years later and with the help of his wife and former Brownie, Pam - he went on to form a completely new troop to serve new houses at the Woodloes.

The newly created 7th Warwick Scouts took off and grew from an initial eight members who met at the new primary school in 1977, to 120 in what has proved a lasting legacy for the town’s youth.

The growing troop, which now welcomes boys and girls to join, later moved to its own headquarters in Reardon Court before relocating to its current hut in Bluebell Woods.

Thanks to the Hinks’ dedication, it is now thriving and boasts a Beaver colony, Explorer group and two Cub packs on top of the initial Scout troop.

Pam, who went on to run the Jubilee Cub pack for over 35 years still runs a Thursday group, making over 80 years of service between the pair.

They have both served as assistant district commissioners in and help run the annual WAGS Gang Show for young people.

John, who is still heavily involved with activities said it has always been simply about the children.

He said: “It is nice to be recognised but we do not do it for awards, it is for the children.

“Scouting is a part of our life, it always has been. It is much more than an hour each week for us and our family.

“Things have changed surprisingly little in all that time, the basic ideals are the same and we still love the camps.”

Also honoured on the awards night in December was lifelong member and volunteer, Sarah Langley who took over running the Woodloes Beaver pack for nine months.

Sarah, 26, who has been in Guiding all her life, became a helper at 7th Warwick Scouts as soon as she was old enough before working her way to the role of assistant leader.

Her mother, Lyndsey set up the thriving Beaver club in the 1980s, but after being diagnosed with breast cancer was unable to continue as leader.

Sarah stepped up to the challenge and took over the pack for nine months until her mother could return.

She was presented with the Commissioner’s Commendation Award for her commitment to Scouting by John who has praised her ongoing work.