74th Belfast (RBAI) Scout Group
Inchmarlo Beaver Colony (P2 to P4) meet from 4 to 5 pm and the Cub Pack (P5 to P7) meet from 5 to 6 pm on Thursdays from September to June while the Scout Troop (Years 8 to 10), the Explorer Unit (Years 11 to 14) and the Scout Network (18 to 25 year olds) meet from 3.20 to 4.30/5 p.m. on Fridays during the autumn and spring terms, and when required in the summer term. There are numerous other events taking place throughout the year at Group, District, County, Northern Ireland, and United Kingdom levels as well as partnerships with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and charities like Habitat for Humanity Ireland and Storehouse Belfast.
Group Mission Statement
The Purpose of Scouting
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
The Values of Scouting
As Scouts we are guided by these values:
Integrity – We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy, and loyal.
Respect – We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care – We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
Belief – We explore our faiths, beliefs, and attitudes.
Co-operation – We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.
The Scout Method
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:
- enjoy what they are doing and have fun,
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors,
- learn by doing,
- share in spiritual reflection,
- take responsibility and make choices,
- undertake new and challenging activities,
- make and live by their Promise.
Group Structure
Group Scout Leader: Mr D Scott
Explorer Scout Leader: Mr Roy
Assistant Explorer Scout Leaders: Mr Ben McKeown,
Mrs Parks.
Unit Sectional Assistant: Mr Ashley Parks
Acting Scout Leader: Mr D Scott
Assistant Scout Leader: Mr Daniel Lyttle, Mr Eddy Tang, Mr Titterington.
Troop Sectional Assistants: Mrs Rogers, Mrs Karen Scott.
Cub Scout Leader: Mrs Lynsey Agnew
Assistant Cub Scout Leader: Mrs Rebecca Pollock
Pack Sectional Assistant: Mrs Sarah McClean
Beaver Scout Leader: Vacant
Assistant Beaver Scout Leader: Vacant
Group Occasional Helpers: Mr Richard Fox, Mr Andrew Fullerton, Mrs Kat Lunn.
Officers
Group Chairman: Oliver Mercer
Deputy Group Chairman: James Garrett
Group Secretary: Cameron Colgan
Troop Leader: Matthew Jamison
Deputy Troop Leader: Samuel Jordan
Quartermaster: Yago Azuara-Lois
Deputy Quartermaster: Robbie Henderson
ICT Co-ordinator: Jay Jayaprakash
Deputy ICT Co-ordinator: William Brooks
Activities Co-ordinator: Noah Stafford
Deputy Activities Co-ordinator: Luke Acheson
Young Leaders: James Garrett, Matthew Jamison, Jay Jayaprakash, Oliver Mercer.
2022-2023
For the first time since 2019, the Scout Group returned to its activities without any Covid mitigations. The highlights of the year were the continuing development of the Beaver Colony and Cub Pack at Inchmarlo; the summer trip to Switzerland; and the successful Duke of Edinburgh’s Award season.
In the Census Return 2023, the Group maintained its high numbers amounting to a total membership of 165 people, which included 17 Scout Network members, 50 Explorer Scouts, 61 Scouts, 15 Cubs, 11 Beavers, 7 Leaders/Helpers and 4 other adults. 56 members of the Group undertook the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme to complete their top Scout Awards during the year. 74th remains one of the biggest and most successful Groups in Northern Ireland.
On September 15th, 2022, the Scout Group helped the school to commemorate the passing of our Monarch and Patron Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a special school assembly. Group Chairman Oliver Mercer and Troop Leader Daniel Lyttle formed the colour party. October 14th saw over two hundred people attend the annual Parents’ Night with Beavers from Inchmarlo attending for the first time. Scout Harry Greer won the inaugural Archery Competition at 74th. About 80 pupils took part in the ever popular 5 A-Side Football Competitions in December. From the Charity Car Parking event, Group Chairman Oliver Mercer was able to present £100 to The Black Santa Appeal at St Anne’s Cathedral.
Explorers James Garrett, Matthew Jamison, Jay Jayaprakash and Oliver Mercer achieved their Young Leader’s Award in February 2023. Scouts Daniel Carson, Hugo Harrison and Alfie Lonergan won the Belfast Scout Archery Competition in March. Yago Azuara-Lois, Cameron Colgan, James Garrett, Matthew Jamison, Jay Jayaprakash, Samuel Jordan, and Oliver Mercer were awarded school Honours for Scouting in April while redated Honours were awarded to Reuben Burnham, Michael Giboney, Will Kernohan and Daniel Lyttle. Some of our Scouts and Explorers represented ScoutsNI to launch their Step Forward resource in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Ireland.
22 Explorers were awarded with their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award during the year while old boys Adam Byrne and Eddy Tang received their Gold Award from HRH Prince Edward in July. 27 Scouts successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award/Chief Scout’s Platinum Award Qualifying Expeditions in the Mournes; 19 Explorers successfully completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award/Chief Scout’s Diamond Award Qualifying Expeditions in the Mournes; and 10 Explorers successfully completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award/King’s Scout Award Qualifying Expeditions in The Lake District in the summer term.
Three Explorers and fifteen Scouts travelled to the World Scout Centre at Kandersteg in Switzerland for the Group’s first summer camp since 2019. The group camped for 9 days, meeting fellow Scouts from all over the world. The centre focuses on sustainable living and bringing peace to an increasingly unstable world.
As our centenary year approaches, the Group’s Centenary Committee would like any former leader or member of the Group to forward a contact email with years of attendance at RBAI to Mr Scott at his email address as soon as possible please. Many thanks!
Please stay connected with the Group’s activities by joining the ‘74th Belfast Scouts’ closed group on Facebook.
74th Belfast (R.B.A.I.) Scout Group
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution,
College Square East,
Belfast,
BT1 6DL.
Telephone: 028 90240461 Email:dscott617@c2kni.net
Charity Number – NIC103856