Fond farewell to Ballyclare Scout leaders

Alex and Marina Powers, having amassed over 100 years combined membership, have this year decided to step aside and take a much reduced involvement in the work of the Scout Movement. They are also taking the opportunity to spend more time with their family as they are moving to live in Yorkshire to be closer to their sons , daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Alex started as a young Wolf Cub in 4th Carrickfergus (St Nicholas) in 1952 and stayed on to become Asst. Scout Master with the Troop. On moving to live in Ballyclare Alex started to help with the local Scout Troop and became Asst. Group Scout Leader.

The South East Antrim Scout District later invited Alex to take on the role of District Commissioner; a position he held for eight years while continuing his work with the Ballyclare Group.

Marina also started her Scouting career in Carrickfergus, joining 5th Carrickfergus (St Coleman’s) in 1976 as an Asst. Beaver Scout Leader. Like Alex, Marina moved to the Ballyclare Scout Group and there started the first Beaver Scout Colony in the Group.

Marina’s organising skills were recognised, first of all by the South East Antrim Scout District where she became the Asst. District Commissioner for Beaver Scouts, and then by the NI Scout Council, who appointed her Northern Ireland Commissioner for Beaver Scouts.

The Scout Association (National Level) were also quick to spot Marina’s abilities and invited her to chair the National (GB) Committee for Beaver Scouts and to serve on the organising committee for the ‘Centenary of Scouting’ World Jamboree held in England in 2007.

In appreciation of the leadership service given by Alex and Marina to the Scout Movement, South East Antrim Scout District presented them with a special memento - an inscribed piece of Belleek pottery.