Roger
Core Team Leader
Like many of the expedition staff team I enjoyed early years working my way through Cubs and Scouts although my involvement lapsed when I went to College. Even so, I am sure that Scouts helped me form the values and interests that followed me into the rest of my life. My first rock climb, first trip to the mountains, canoeing descent of the Wye and learning to sail all came through Scouts. And a love of the outdoors may have been why I became a geography teacher. Don’t worry, I was only a teacher for a few years, it was only geography, and except for the occasional flash-back I think I am fully recovered.
Instead of teaching I went into youth work and with the coastline and the moors on the doorstep I used my interest in outdoor activities in all the programmes and different jobs I held. I became a trainer in a number of sports for young people, for other youth workers, some work with the services as a civilian instructor and.eventually I wound up as the lead tutor in a programme of off-site activities in the Sports Science Dept at the College of St. Mark & St. John in Plymouth.
My stamping ground in mountaineering and walking has been Dartmoor, Snowdonia and The Lakes with some trips to Scotland and a couple across the Channel. One of the most memorable expeditions was with a group of young people from Plymouth to South West Ireland to a fairly overlooked, underestimated and beautiful mountain area. We also took time to play on the equally stunning coastline and meet with some lovely gentle people.
I tried taking early retirement a few years ago but quickly started getting twitchy and grabbed a chance to join Truro College as a tutor in their Youth Work programme. I was working on that course when I met you all at the Eden Project on your selection weekend and was very flattered to be asked to step in for Dave who was not going to be available for the 9 Ashes event. I was even more flattered to be asked to join the team for the expedition but am very aware that I have been out of scouting for a long time now and also that I am playing catch-up in the thought and preparation you have all already put into the trip. So, I am probably the oldest but am definitely the junior partner in the team and will try to fit in wherever I can be of use. It was a real pleasure to work with you all and I have been hugely impressed with your effort and commitment so you have set a high standard for me to live up to.
Instead of teaching I went into youth work and with the coastline and the moors on the doorstep I used my interest in outdoor activities in all the programmes and different jobs I held. I became a trainer in a number of sports for young people, for other youth workers, some work with the services as a civilian instructor and.eventually I wound up as the lead tutor in a programme of off-site activities in the Sports Science Dept at the College of St. Mark & St. John in Plymouth.
My stamping ground in mountaineering and walking has been Dartmoor, Snowdonia and The Lakes with some trips to Scotland and a couple across the Channel. One of the most memorable expeditions was with a group of young people from Plymouth to South West Ireland to a fairly overlooked, underestimated and beautiful mountain area. We also took time to play on the equally stunning coastline and meet with some lovely gentle people.
I tried taking early retirement a few years ago but quickly started getting twitchy and grabbed a chance to join Truro College as a tutor in their Youth Work programme. I was working on that course when I met you all at the Eden Project on your selection weekend and was very flattered to be asked to step in for Dave who was not going to be available for the 9 Ashes event. I was even more flattered to be asked to join the team for the expedition but am very aware that I have been out of scouting for a long time now and also that I am playing catch-up in the thought and preparation you have all already put into the trip. So, I am probably the oldest but am definitely the junior partner in the team and will try to fit in wherever I can be of use. It was a real pleasure to work with you all and I have been hugely impressed with your effort and commitment so you have set a high standard for me to live up to.