Roger Brookbank was given a Civic Award in 2004 for his 50 years of involvement in the scouting movement. There follows an extract from the Wokingham Times: –
The scouting movement in the area has much to to thank Roger Brookbank for, said nominator Jane Hawthorne. Mr Brookbank, of Harmer Close, Wokingham, has dedicated a lifetime of work to the movement over a 50 year period. The 59 year old father of three is currently the assistant district commissioner for the scout section in Wokingham and says he was ” totally flabbergasted ” when he received the letter through his door telling him he was one of this year’s winners. ” I just couldn’t believe it – I really wasn’t expecting it at all, ” he said. “you do not think of yourself as doing anything that special to be recognised in such a way. ”
Mr Broadbank has been heavily involved with the 4th Wokingham Scout group for the last eight years and with the district’s scouting movemenr since 1972. Mr Brookbank also helps out with the 1st Winnersh Scout Group. Over the years he has been a key supporter of international scouting and has attended World Jamborees in Korea, Holland, Chile and Thailand, as well as leading expeditions to Iceland and Belgium and to Luxembourg in 1995.
At last summer’s WINGS event (Windsor International Guide and Scout Camp) in Windsor Great Park, he was the catering manager responsible for feeding the 3,500 youngsters at the seven day camp. Mr. Broookbank said: ” When you are catering for that many people it is a real challenge. We must have prepared and cooked more than 7,500 meals over the week which was very hard work but fun. I always had to the food over the internet and it was one of the biggest internet orders ever placed. It was put forwards as an entry for the Guinness Book of World Records ” In addition Mr. Brookbank has also found time to help Year Sic pupils at Embrook Junior School with maths and for the last 10 years has also taken them on adventure holidays in Wales. He added: ” I’m really grateful to receive the nomination and the award. After working with the children for so many years you show them different skills and teach them new things which may lead to something in later life. ”
Jane Hawthorn said: ” Wokingham Scouts alone have benefited from his excellent leadership skills for the last 33 years, but it’s not all been selfless. “Roger has enjoyed every minute of it, even in the rain soaked summer camps! ”
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