'Three Scout Leaders Honoured at Windsor Castle for Dedicated Service'
Key Highlights :
Three scout leaders from the UK have been honoured for their dedicated service after receiving an invitation to attend Windsor Castle along with hundreds of other guests. Janice and David Butterworth, a wife and husband team who run scouting sessions at St Paul’s Church in Ramsbottom, and Keith Lofthouse, who leads activities at Edenfield Parish Church, have been awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn, a rare honour to receive.
The Bar to the Silver Acorn is the second highest award in scouting and is given for distinguished service over a minimum of 25 years. Janice, David and Keith were nominated for their contribution to scouting and to the wider community. On Sunday, April 23, the group gathered with their families in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle. The event is always attended by a representative of the Royal Family, this year Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and one of the Joint Presidents of Scouting was present. The trio also met Chief Scout and TV star Bear Grylls.
Janice said: “It is quite unusual for both husband and wife to receive the award at the same time, and to share the day with Keith meant that it was a really special day. We were able to bring our daughter and granddaughter to the castle, so it was lovely to enjoy the day with them. We were also lucky enough to meet the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls. It was a truly wonderful day.”
The award is a great honour for Janice, David and Keith, who have given more than 120 years of service to scouting between them. Their dedication to scouting has been recognised and they were invited to Windsor Castle to be honoured for their commitment and hard work. The trio were welcomed by the Royal Family and Bear Grylls, and were able to share the special day with their families.
It is a great achievement for Janice, David and Keith, and a wonderful recognition of their dedicated service to scouting. Their hard work and commitment to the scouting movement has been rewarded with the Bar to the Silver Acorn, and the trio will no doubt continue to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
