Scouts receive prestigious awards during online ceremony

Scouts in Abercarn have been awarded their Chief Scout Gold Awards at a virtual online ceremony.

Awards were given to patrol leader Isaac Furmage, assistant patrol leader Tomas Ansell, senior patrol leaders Caitlin Parsons and Dylan Harwood, and patrol leader Amelia Regel.

Meanwhile Owain Terrell, who has been involved with Abercarn Scouts since 2013, also received his award.

He was given the prestigious award at the group’s virtual Annual General Meeting on May 10.

Following in the footsteps of his father and grandmother, who are also involved in Abercarn Scouts, Owain, 14, has had to overcome obstacles on his way to achieving the award.

Owain has spina bifida – a condition where the spine and spinal cords didn’t develope properly before birth, as well as hydrocephalus – which causes fluids to build up in the brain.

As a result, Owain uses a wheelchair or crutches.

But despite his disability, Owain has risen through the scouting ranks and gained the role of Assistant Patrol leader.

Speaking at the AGM, 1st Abercarn scout leader Alan Britt heaped praise on Owain and said: “He has shown his ability to pass on his knowledge and skills to the younger scouts.

“He is respected amongst his patrol, scouting friends and leaders and has taken part in a vast array of activities over the years, including our traditional activities of abseiling, pioneering, ropework, camping ,overseas scout communications and late night hikes with barbecues on the Pant Moors.

“How did he participate in these late night hikes and barbecues over the potentially treacherous Pant Moorlands? Answer – the words “can’t do” don’t exist in his vocabulary.

“With help from the other scouts, they ensured he didn’t miss out on this opportunity.”

Mr Britt also spoke about some of the activities Owain has taken part in to obtain his award, such as giving a presentation on endangered species and volunteering over a three-day period to pick up litter along the Pontywaun canal path.

Owain also designed, built and painted a bench to be used at the scout hut’s disabled toilets.

Last week, the scouts worked with Keep Wales Tidy to cleare logs and litter from the Abercarn distillery – clearing away more than 30 car tyres as they work towards achieving their Environmental Conservation badges.