Image above: Tony and Tess Lees, at their last cub camp, with their son Adam, his wife Katie and their grandson Mylo too!

Tony & Tess Lees retire after 32 years of leading 2nd Guildford.

Tony and Tess Lees have served this community through scouting for 32 years and 30 years respectively. Tony led Cubs as Akela and Tess Beavers, as Golden Beaver. They have both retired from Scouting we had an interview with Tony – following a long service award presented in November.

Tony how long have you lived on Bellfields?

We moved to Guildford on Cypress Road in February 1988 What first got you interested in scouting? Our eldest son wanted to join a group.

Have you always led 2nd Guildford?

I started by accompanying the Leaders and Cubs on outings around the area, then helping on other tasks the Cubs were attempting in the HQ on Stoughton Road.

When did you begin leading?

This happened after I had been helping for a while, then… on an AGM the Scouter in Charge pointed to me and said I wanted to be a Cub Leader, I hadn’t thought about it but after telling me it was just ‘one and a half hours a week’ Ha! I agreed.

What changes have you seen in the community over the years?

To be honest… not much, the children are the same and the way they think and behave the same. However, the down time we had during covid changed Scouting a great deal, I feel we needed to have a retake on reintroducing Scouting and the outside world back to the children who had very little contact with other adults and children.

What were the highlights?

The whole time has been wonderful, I am not saying there were no dramas, but all our camps have been brilliant! All were unique and special. I had many very special parents that would go far beyond the norm to help at the group, on camps and on fund raising and on our Cub nights. Believe me when I tell you, I still have quite a few parents from yonks ago that will still come to a call for help, even after their son has left and is now an adult, wow!

Another highlight I want to bring to you is our dog ‘Kip’ he was a yellow Labrador and an awesome help to us, he came to all Cub meetings, walks and even on Cub camp for years, he had his own group scarf and all the Cubs loved him… even if they were dubious when they first joined, it didn’t take long for them to bond beautifully.

“I thank everyone that has helped in making 2nd Guildford the group it is, I am missing Scouting massively and am a little jealous of those who now have the pleasure of making their young charges into lovely well rounded children…”

I’ve got another highlight… my wife who not only lead Beavers but helped every week at Cubs and also doing the very hard task of cooking on camp’s. Then onto our youngest son (Queen Scout award holder) who is also a Leader.

On our last night as Leaders my wife and I went to Stoke Park for family rounders, unknown to us our son had messaged people to say goodbye to us, IT WAS AMAZING! There were over 100 people on the night, old cubs that were now adults, the parents I have already mentioned and the Cubs with their parents and siblings, it was a very moving evening. I thank everyone for their good wishes.

What would you hope for the unit and the young people who are beavers, cubs and scouts today?

I wish for 2nd Guildford Scout Group to carry on thriving and expanding, I wish all the Leaders good luck and fun times doing scouting.

Is there anything else you would want to say?

My last words are heartfelt… I thank everyone that has helped in making 2nd Guildford the group it is, I am missing Scouting massively and am a little jealous of those who now have the pleasure of making their young charges into lovely well rounded children. Thank you all from Tess and myself.

Getting involved

Scouts meet Monday evenings from 7.00pm until 9.00pm
Cubs meet Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm until 8.00pm
Beavers meet Thursday evenings from 6.15pm until 7:15pm.

To get involved you need to register interest on this scouting website: www.surrey-scouts.org.uk/about-us/groups/2nd-guildford-st-peters