The Jack Ash Award

The Award was started in memory of my father, Jack Ash, who joined the 59th at the age of seven in 1917. He remained attached to the Group in various sections - Cubs, Scouts, Senior Scouts & Rovers - and in the roles of Scout Master and Group Scout Master. There were however breaks in this continuity including Army service in the Second World War.
The Award was started by former Scouts as an appreciation of the guiding influence Jack had been during their time as Cubs, Scouts and beyond and also to recognise his involvement in the growth of the Group. The Committee originally comprised of Man Gee Wang (ex Group President), Katie Ash (Jack's wife), former Akela, Rex Wild, and former Scout, Dave Parkin. The members, past, present and in the future, are all former members of the Group as Scouts and/or Leaders.
The aim of the Award is to encourage development of the individual, through Scouting, to be a good citizen and human being - in two words - a Good Scout! Annually, the Award Committee interviews four or five candidates who have been nominated by the Scout Leader. Whilst achievement shown by proficiency badges attained in previous twelve months is considered, it is not the sole criteria as advice from the Scout Leader regarding development, in the previous twelve months, as a keen and constructive member of the Troop is also very important. The Awards are presented every year at the AGM and Celebration Night.
Over the years, many outstanding young people, boys and girls, have been candidates - we have seen some "Masters of the Universe" very much in the making!
The Award is currently a £50 cheque to the winner with one or two runners-up also receiving cheques. The Award seems to have stood the test of time as it has now been running for over forty years.

Robert Ash
President