Long-serving Windsor Scout awarded for 'invaluable' service to community

A long-serving Windsor Scout has been awarded for his dedication to the organisation and his ‘invaluable’ commitment to supporting young people.  

Rupert Allison, 82, was presented with the Scouting Association’s 50-year Long Service Award on Thursday (September 26).

The veteran outdoorsman joined Scouts when he was a schoolboy and went on to become a leader for the Windsor & Eton area.

He said: “I felt very honoured because I do feel 50 years is a long time and at my age - I haven’t done too badly.”

Rupert started volunteering with 1st/6th Scout Troop in 1974 - this group went on to merge with 4th Windsor Scouts in 1977.

He later served as Venture Scout Leader – now Explorer Scouts – before taking the helm as Central Windsor Scout Group leader in 1995.

Reflecting on his service, Rupert said his favourite memory was the people he had met.

“I’ve always had very good support from people, good leaders -we’re all friends now – and I had a marvellous lot of kids,” he said.

“With my own kids and the others, it’s quite a long family. “

Friends were not just made in the UK, as scouting offers a chance for youngsters and their troop leaders to meet people from across the world.

Rupert said he had always enjoyed camping trips to Kandestag: an international campsite at the foot of the Swiss Alps.

“You meet Dutch Scouts, French Scouts, German Scouts; Scouts from Canada, America and Portugal,” Rupert said.

And added: “It’s a fantastic place - about 4,000 feet up when you get there.

“I’ve got some fantastic photographs.”

There was also a memorable camp closer to home at the 1957 World Scout Jamboree in Sutton Park, Warwickshire.

The annual jamboree brings tens of thousands of Scouts together for a week-long camp.

One international Scout trip to Slovenia in 2008 – led by Rupert – made the front cover of Scouting Magazine.

He also reflected on ‘positive’ changes for scouting since he started including permitting girls to join and greater protection for children in the organisation.  

On his association with Windsor scouts, Rupert remembered a key role he played in the construction of a new Scout Hut for 5th Windsor.

The old hut was made of wood but Rupert campaigned to get a new one built from brick.

Persistence paid off and Rupert was able to agree a deal between RBWM and a housing company to build the new hut. It was completed in 2004.

Rupert still helps with Windsor Scouts and works as the region’s archivist – helping to preserve and record years of history.

“It was 50 years that I thoroughly enjoyed,” he said. “I hope I can do another 10 years.”

A Scouting Association spokesperson said: "Rupert, congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone and achieving your 50 years of service award.

"Your dedication, commitment, and selfless contributions as a volunteer over the decades is what keeps Scouting going.

"Your efforts make an unmeasurable difference to your community and we’re grateful for your unwavering support.

"Volunteers like yourself give over half a million young people the chance to build skills for life and take on new experiences every week."