A goodbye but not farewell to our DC of 10 years – Paul / Sonic or Pretty are a few of the nicer names he’s known by!
Paul took over in 2014 after some arm twisting for 5 years, this was extended by Gilwell at request of the County for a further 5 years.
Paul has brought many changes and tweaks to the District, Charlie Charnwood was one of the big new Team changes, little did he know that he would also have to be the person to ‘play’ him (Surprise for anyone who didn’t know). Those of you that know the Team understand why!
One thing Paul was keen to do was to get groups applying for NA permits and to do their own catering.
Numbers have steadily grown and recovered after Covid hit. Zoom was something else Paul and the Team pushed to ensure a secure future of Charnwood after Covid.
A few of our DCs saying’s are ‘Lead by example’ ‘it’s never the young people’ ‘its down to the Team’ and a new one is ‘They walk among us’. Paul never referred to ‘my district’ he always said it belongs to the members.
Not taking things lying down Paul has always spoken his mind at District & County meetings and has been known to pick up the phone and give National a piece of his mind! All in the interest of Charnwood.
He always finds the time to listen, support and stay in touch with those that are struggling, ill or just in need of encouragement. As a DC, he ensured that his presence was there, he liked that a lot of the young people knew him when he visited.
Paul will hand over the reigns to Nick tonight at 12.00 midnight, and says he knows the District is in safe hands with a great Team. Nicks main task is to get Charnwood through the forthcoming transformation.
10 years ago, Paul turned up to his first All Leader meeting with his ‘RED’ Filofax, and as you can see this has now been passed onto Nick with a bunch of keys to many stores and buildings across the District.
Paul isn’t going far, he will be continuing with his Explorer leader rolem temporary GSL at Rearsby Scout group and on the organising team for our District camp – we wish him well and keep an eye for him.
