"Fifty years ago, a small quiet shy boy joined the 13th Fife (Rosyth Methodist) Wolf Cubs. He probably wouldn't have done if it hadn't been for the fact that his best friend was already in the Cubs." This was the way Martin Rogers recently described his entry into the Scout Movement and it is fairly typical of the reason why so many young people today join one of the leading youth organisations in Britain. Little could he know that, for him, it was to be the start of a life-long career in the Scout Movement.
Last Saturday, the 13th Fife Scout Group celebrated Martin's 40 years service as a Cub Scout Leader at its annual barbecue held at the Scottish Scout Activity Centre at Fordell Firs near Dunfermline,. In the presence of almost 200 Cubs, Scouts, Guides, parents and former leaders, Group Scout Leader Stuart Fowell recounted Martin's early Scouting career and presented him with an engraved plaque in grateful recognition of his enthusiasm and dedication over the years.
Martin's interest in leading Cub Scouts began at the age of 14 when, as a Cub Instructor, he helped run camps and weekly meetings for his local Pack. He became an Assistant Leader at the age of 18 and took over as Leader two years later, a position that he has held to this day.
About 400 young people have passed through his Cub Pack over the years and, under his leadership, have benefited from the challenge and personal development that Scouting can give. Camping remains, as ever, the main activity that attracts countless young people into Scouting and Martin has been involved in more than 150 Cub and Scout camps throughout the UK, the majority of which he has organised and led. That adds up to just under 2 years of his life spent away from home helping Cubs and Scouts find adventure, friendship and fun in Scouting activities.
A key figure in the life of the Scout Group and an active supporter of the Rosyth District Scout Council, Martin has been instrumental in organising many of the Group and District events throughout his 40 years as a Cub Leader. His work has been acknowledged twice by the Scout Association. In 1980, he was awarded the Medal of Merit for outstanding service to Scouting and 6 years later his services were again recognised when he received the Bar to his medal.
District Commissioner Alan Bull presented Martin with the Scout Association's 40 year Long Service Award. He praised Martin's work in the Scout Group and his valued contribution to Rosyth Scout District, and acknowledged his outstanding commitment to the development of young people through Cub and Scout activities.
Martin, who is also well known as a local historian and archivist in Rosyth and has recently produced two books recounting the history of Scouting in West Fife and of naval connections with Rosyth Dockyard in the early 1900s, reflected on how Scouting had changed in his time to meet the expectations of young people today. Had it all been worth it? He was sure that it had. Scouting had been a huge part of his life and he fully hoped to continue - and may even make 50 years as an active leader.
Page last updated 01 October 2004
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