All his adult life Gordon Berry has devoted his time, expertise and skills to the Scouts and this summer the popular worldwide youth organisation decided to honour him with the prestigious Blair Atholl Fellowship Award, in recognition for his excellent efforts.
Forth Valley College’s FM Manager – Hard Services – who is a Group Scout Leader with the 9th Dunipace Scout Group, once again went above and beyond for his beloved youth organisation this summer. He spent 17 days under canvas from 13-30 July, as he has done many times before, as part of the Site Services Team at the 38th International Patrol Jamborette to be held on the Blair Atholl Castle grounds, Target Park in Perthshire.
As always his team arrived five days earlier than the 840 Scouts and 400 staff from 15 different countries, so they could set up the water, drainage, power and gas facilities that would be needed for the event to take place. And as Gordon is in charge of all these facilities at the College and does such a wonderful job with them, you can understand why they tap into his skills.
Everyone had a great time, including Gordon and he was sad when all the 400 staff were asked to make their way to the Castle’s Grand Hall on the last evening for a farewell ceremony. Little did he know he would be even more emotional by the end of the night as he was presented with the prestigious Blair Atholl Fellowship Award – one of only 41 ever presented the first of those being the Duke of Atholl himself – and signed by Chief Scout, Bear Grylls!
Gordon, who was actually in the Boys’ Brigade as a child, but who has devoted his time to the Scouts since he was in his early 20s, said: “I was shocked when they called out my name to come up and receive the award. You could have knocked me down with a feather."
“I love this type of Jamborette event and think they are brilliant. I also love being involved with the Scouts and passing on life skills to youngsters in the hope it helps them as they grow into adults. I really get so much out of it and am so proud to have been recognised in this way.”
