Nicky Taylor, a Scout Leader from Flitwick, has been selected as one of the 500 Coronation Champions.
Nicky has been involved as a volunteer for over 45 years. Not only is she involved in running a Beaver Colony (boys and girls aged 6 to 8), and a Cub Pack (boys and girls aged 8 to 10), but she is also Deputy Group Scout Leader and, amongst other things, manages the waiting list for the Scout Group. Nicky was also actively involved in helping to open the first two Squirrel Dreys (boys and girls aged 4 and 5) in the
County.
Nicky is a qualified archery instructor and holds a permit for narrow boating. She has supervised many archery sessions at camps and has taken several Scouts narrow boating for a weekend on the Grand Union canal. She has also helped to plan and run camps and sleepovers; these have included family camps that over 250 adults, young people and children attended.
Nicky was a foster carer for several years and looked after many children aged from 2 to 16, including a group of 4 children. She “retired” as a foster carer last year and now spends some of her “spare” time as a volunteer at The Stables in Milton Keynes.
Nicky said, “I volunteer because I get to work with other amazing adults who work tirelessly to provide a variety of exciting, fun activities. Offering ‘first time experiences’ such as helping a Beaver Scout to toast a marshmallow over an open fire, encouraging a Cub Scout to get to the top of a climbing wall, or helping a Scout steer a twelve-berth narrow boat for the first time is all part of nurturing a ‘can do’ attitude for the
young people.”
Tracey said, “My son Josh was a Beaver and a Cub and is now a Scout. Nicky provided him and his friends with so many fantastic experiences. Hundreds of children have benefitted from Nicky’s commitment and dedication to Scouts.”
Nicky has been invited to the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on 7 th May and will receive a pin badge and a certificate signed by both of Their Majesties. Earlier this week she spoke live to BBC Look East about the award.