TWO West Wiltshire scout leaders have been presented with a top honour for contributing more than 10 years’ outstanding service to the movement.

Jon Giles, the Beaver Scout Leader at Broughton Gifford & Holt and David Smith, Cub Scout Leader at 1st Bowerhill Scout Group, were presented with the Medal of Merit by the District Commissioner Chris Broom.

The medal is awarded for outstanding service while holding an adult appointment in Scouting for a minimum of 10 years

Mr Giles has been a member of The Scout Association for over 15 years and has worked within the Wiltshire West District for all this time. He has helped guide the Broughton Gifford & Holt Scout Group over many years.

Mrs Bloom said: “A Colony numbers have always remained healthy and sometimes peaked to very high numbers, which is a testament to the quality of the programme and continuous hard work Jon has put in.

“Jon’s contribution to Scouting in the local area has been invaluable, as without his dedication and commitment over the years and tirelessly assisting with all aspects of Scouting so that the Group can thrive.

“Jon is also a Training Advisor a job that he undertakes with his relentless dedication, commitment and capability to ensure that the Leaders within the Group are fully trained in order to offer the best that Scouting can provide to young people in the area.”

Mr Giles has taken his Colony many times to Brownsea Island and stayed overnight to experience where the first experimental Scout camp took place in 1907.

His family own and run a local greenfield camp site and Jon has been instrumental in promoting the use of the site across the District. Chris added: “Many Groups and sections have benefitted from this outstanding facility.”

Mr Smith has been a member of The Scout Association as a Leader for over 14 years and has been with the 1st Bowerhill Scout Group since he joined as a Cub Scout at the age of eight in September 1993.

He then went onto Scouts with the Bradford on Avon Scout Troop as 1st Bowerhill did not have a troop at this time. After six months, Mr Smith returned to the Cub Pack as a Scout Assistant and attended the weekly meeting assisting with the running of the Pack.

Mr Smith also attended all the Pack camps, District events and outings during this time. In January 2017 David took over as Cub Scout Leader of the Pack.

Chris said: “David’s contribution to Scouting in Bowerhill has been invaluable, as without his dedication and commitment over the years and tirelessly assisting with the fundraising for the Group to improve and update their equipment and maintain their mini bus so that the Group can thrive.”

Mr Smith works for the Police as an emergency communications officer and works around his variable shifts to ensure that the best possible Scouting is offered to the 1st Bowerhill Cub Pack.