A project has been launched to build and maintain a National Scouting Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. This will cost £80,000. The memorial will remember all those who have given service to Scouting throughout the UK, with a special mention of those members who have suffered through conflict.
The project is being led by Birmingham County with the support and consent of HQ. A memorial badge has been produced as part of the fundraising strategy and this is available in both cloth and metal pin formats. The suggested donation is £1 for the cloth badge and £2 for the pin badge. A copy of the badge is shown above.
Badges can be ordered from the website www.tsmp.org.uk either using the shopping basket or by downloading the order form.
This has been classed by HQ as an Occasional Badge. It may be worn over the left breast pocket and I have granted permission for it to be displayed on the uniform from 1 November 2013 to 31 December 2014.
This is a very worthy cause and as part of the fundraising efforts a Memorial Design Competition open to all UK Scouting members is to be launched later this year on their website. It has been suggested that entries should be reviewed at County level in order to ease pressure on Birmingham. For this purpose I am seeking a Scouter or Supporter who would be willing to take on the role of Team Leader for this project. Please email or call if you have any queries or ideas.
Please spread the word on the appeal and the competition to all of your young people as they should be encouraged to be part of this very worthwhile initiative.
Jenny
County Commissioner