Meet Our Team

I began scouting when looking for volunteer service opportunities in my local village for my DofE Bronze award and was lucky enough to start working with my local cub pack, I am pleased to say the habit stuck as my volunteering was easy and fun and eventually I took on the Akela role under the watchful eye of my GSL.

Since then I have had many adventures – I easily found myself getting involved with the activity teams and discovering a passion for walking and caving and helping at county events. It was an easy progression to Scout Leader and an opportunity to lead at the World Scout Jamboree in Chile. For some while I was part of the county executive and supported my district team with the scout programme and being one of the early nights away advisors.

Each year I was lucky enough to lead a sub camp team at the county scout jamboree which gave me a wonderful opportunity to meet and work with patrols and leaders from all over the county. Since 2014 I have been part of the DC team in East Somerset and more recently DC in Moors & Coastal. Now, a new challenge as the interim County Commissioner.

Scouting has given me many truly amazing moments (both good and bad!), tears of laughter and joy, my scouting friendships long lasting and strong enough to keep me going through the darkest of times. Could I see myself ever not being a Scouter– No never, why would I not want to have moments of madness and a wonderful excuses to stay young and share adventures with my friends and scouts ?

Hello, I’m Janet – your Deputy County Commissioner (People). I have been connected with Scouting and Guiding since 1956, so consequently I have a wide experience of Scouting in a variety of roles from ACSL through to Deputy County Commissioner. I have also worked professionally for 13 years as a Field Commissioner. and then Field Development Officer for Scout HQ in the Counties of Avon, Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. I have wide experience in mentoring, coaching and conflict resolution and I have specialised in developing, delivering and managing training.

I have a passion for Scouting and how it changes young lives forever. I also have a passion for music of all types, both listening and playing. I am an explorer at heart and long to visit new places worldwide. Although I no longer have a role with Young People I do enjoy sharing Scouting Skills with my 5 Grandchildren.

My Scouting began in my home town of Minehead, when I joined Exmoor Venture Scouts Unit. Previously, I had been a member of the Guide movement, being both a Brownie, and Guide at Alcombe, achieving my Queen Guide Award, then a young leader with Timberscombe Brownies. Being a Venture Scout gave me the opportunities to gain my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and my Queen Scout, making me the first person in West Somerset to hold all three Awards.

I went on to become the Venture leader, and to help with Dunster Cubs, before moving to Taunton in 1989. Since then, I have been a Group Scout leader, then the A.D.C. Scouts, then Deputy District Commissioner. I joined the Somerset County team in 2010, as A.C.C. Activities then A.C.C. Scouts in 2013, before becoming Deputy County Commissioner in 2017.

I am passionate about Scouting, and the opportunities, adventure, skills, and challenges, we all give to young people through delivering inspiring programmes.

Away from Scouting I love the great outdoors, exploring new places, and activities. Walking especially Letterboxing on Dartmoor, photography, and going to the theatre.

I’m Alan and I currently have a number of responsibilities within the County covering both Transformation and Training / Learning.

In 2022, the planned changes to the Scouts Skills for Life Strategy were launched and I was appointed as Transformation Lead for Somerset to help prepare for and support the County, Districts, Groups, Units and Network for all of the exciting changes that will be rolling out over the next few years.
Over the past year I have been part of the HQ Volunteer Experience Group providing feedback on many topics of the planned changes, attending focus workshops, and working as part of the Learning Compliance Team.
Within Transformation, there are a number of changes to Training, not just in the rebranding to Learning and it makes sense to incorporate those changes into my portfolio of work, so I am now also responsible for all Training in Somerset and the transition to Learning in 2024.

I am now “retired” from fee paying employment which for many years involved training, change management and more recently risk and compliance as an internal risk auditor within Lloyds Banking Group. In any spare time that I have, I like listening to music, playing golf, pottering in the garden or at our field or getting away to new or previously enjoyed places.
As a “career scout” from my time as a Cub, my proudest moment was being part of the Cenotaph Guard of Honour on Remembrance Day when I was a Queen’s Scout in North London. Representing the movement at such a highly prestigious event was a great thrill and honour.

I used to be a Brownie, Guide and a Venture Scout. I achieved my Queen’s Guide Award in 1982, before becoming a Venture Scout Leader and then a Cub Scout Leader. One of my highlights was being a Guard of honour when the Queen came to visit Bristol. I represented Somerset on the International Service Team at the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011 and have volunteered at several international jamborees including WINGS 2014. I have made lots of friends all over the world from these experiences and met Bear Grylls. Professionally I work in an international boarding school and in my spare time I love travelling and photography.

I joined the Scouting movement when I was a beaver and have progressed through all the sections into a leader role. During my time in Scouting I have been a leader with Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts and my current role is Somerset County Media Manager.

I have a few highlights I can reflect on during my time within scouting. I achieved the Queen Scout award and met the Queen during the national parade at Windsor. I have been involved in International events within the UK in both Essex and Kent. I was also very lucky to be selected to take 36 young people to Japan in 2015 for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree.

One of my key roles within the World Scout Jamboree unit was Media and Communications. I have taken part in Media training days and was responsible for sharing the story of our journey before, during and after Japan. The feedback was great and I really enjoyed capturing the fun, challenge and adventure the young people had. This led me to take the County Media role where I can continue using the skills I learnt, to share the great things we do in Somerset.

Outside of Scouting I run my own business selling German manufactured kitchens and I am based in Bristol.

I used to be a Cub and a Scout in the 1970’s with East Taunton, and have since held a number of leadership roles including Assistant Beaver Leader, Cub Leader and Group Scout Leader.

I believe Scouting should be fun, adventurous, where young people can learn in a safe but challenging environment. From Camping, Hiking, Climbing and abseiling to name a few, each Young Person can gain in confidence, character and self-esteem.

Outside of Scouting I am a Territory Sales Manager with Diversey and have been with the Company since 1998 since starting with the company as an engineer.

Bio to follow soon

Hi, I’m Abi and I’m the new County Youth Commissioner. I have been involved in Scouting for over nine years now and I am excited to take on the new role. I look forward to meeting young people to discuss Scouting and Youth Shaping.

I want to meet as many young people as possible before and during the event to gain their fresh perspective on what they believe ‘Youth Shaping’ is about. I applied for this role through my love of Scouting. I wanted to be able to take a bigger responsibility for involving young people in the camp. I have worked with different sections at some point in my Scouting career and I wanted to make sure that each section has something that is appropriate to their age there.

Hi, my name is Andrew Sedgbeer and I am in charge of the Somerset County Store

If you are looking to borrow kit to run your Scout event, contact myself and we can help you out! Best of all, it is FREE!

For more information contact myself on 01823 412258 or email triciasedgbeer281@btinternet.com

My name of Adrian – Chairman of the Somerset Scouts Executive Committee, the County trustees. Scouting has been a major part of my life from Cubs at the age of 8. My adult roles have included;- Cub Scout Leader, Group Scout Leader and Group Chairman.

My employment is engineering based, now managing the timely delivery of high volumes of orders for a range of Broadband Suppliers.

In recent years, my time away from work has been filled converting an Old Stone Barn into two Holiday Cottages which I now manage, I also manage a small farm and I am currently developing an Events Toilets and specialist toilet servicing business for ‘Glam’ Campers.

These projects have given me a great insight into Property management and compliance with a wide range of rules and regulations whilst delivering exceptional customer service.

My vision for Somerset Scouts is to promote interesting programmes and activities whilst protecting those adults, who provide them, and the young people who participate in them; ensuring compliance with all the rules and regulations impacting them, especially POR and those of the Charity Commission. Clarifying myths around activity rules and insurance, and encouraging young people to take an active role in the decision making at all levels.

My involvement with Scouting started when my elder son joined Beavers in 1994. It did not seem long before I changed from being an Occasional Helper to Beaver Leader.

After that I became a Group Scout Leader regularly supporting the leader team with Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. Following my support of Young Leaders, I was appointed DESC before becoming a District Commissioner. I am currently a Local Training Manager supporting adults with their training.

My Scouting life started at a young age when I joined Cleeve, Claverham and Yatton Scout Group, in the Gordano District during the late 1980’s, where I was a Beaver Scout. After progressing through Beavers, Cubs and Scouts I became involved in Venture Scouting, which is where I gained my enthusiasm for Hiking and Expeditions.

In 2009 I started working in Burnham on Sea and became involved in local life. During 2012 I became an Occasional Helper with the Cubs section at 1st Berrow, progressing to Assistant Cub Scout Leader.

2013 saw my move to the Explorer Unit within Moors and Coastal District. Here, I was able to put my skill set to better use with the members of the older sections by introducing and developing their map skills, hike experience and introducing many of them for the first time to expedition camping. Along with many other skills I had learned from my Scouting.

During this time, I had also been involved with launching and revamping the Young Leader Programme within the District. I developed into the role of District Explorer Scout Commissioner, this position works well alongside the Young Leader Leader and allows me to ensure those who wish to step up become a Young Leader are identified and assisted to do so.

In early 2017 I attended T1 Hill Walking Training where I successfully gained my permit. Since then, I have become a Duke of Edinburgh Leader and started supporting the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in Moors and Coastal District; by being an Expedition Supervisor where my skills help guide and support those young people that are completing the expedition section of the award.

During 2019 I saw an opportunity to help develop and widen the Somerset County Scout Ten Tors Teams, this is where Young People successfully take up and complete the rigorous Ten Tors Challenge across Dartmoor.

Like many during the COVID-19 pandemic I have developed my skill set, making me part of the District Team enabling and approving the Safe Return to Scouting. Many groups across the District needed help and support in areas such as Risk Assessment, and Checklists etc.

I believe that by taking up the role of Deputy District Commissioner I will be able to support an even greater number of leaders who are working directly with Young People and are providing high quality Scouting. I see this as an opportunity to continue the growth and development of superb scouting across the District recognising our outstanding leaders.

Outside of Scouting I am a self-employed IT Consultant. With the impact that COVID-19 has had on scouting in the past 12 months my skills in this area have proved to be invaluable where I have been supporting groups to develop new and exciting ways to scout online.

My involvement with Scouting started in 2013 when my son was at Cubs and they were desperate for help. 

Since then I have been a leader in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and, most recently, as Group Scout Leader. 

My favourite part of scouting  is seeing the enjoyment children get from camping and the simple things in life. 

I started my Scouting as a Cub here in Somerset before moving across the border to Wiltshire where I went on to join Scouts and Venture Scouts.  I then took a break from Scouting whilst I started my Career in Retail Design but was always involved in Youth activities helping my Mum with her various Girl Guide Events.

It was not until I moved to London that my Adult Scouting started when I was asked to become a leader in a newly formed unit in Leatherhead, Surrey.  A change in jobs though meant I had to leave the area and move back to Somerset where I joined 5^th Frome Scouts as an Assistant Leader.  It was here that I learnt most of what I know about Scouting and also met my Wife who was the Beaver Leader at the time.

Eventually I wanted a new challenge and I became the Assistant Leader at Edor Explorers.  It was during my time with them that I was lucky enough to be selected to go to the 2007 World Scout Jamboree as one of the Counties Leaders and got to meet Scouts from all over the world.

Eventually my job changed paths again and I no longer could commit to a weekly evening and I accepted the position County Shooting Advisor.  Target shooting is a sport I have enjoyed for many years and after attending training courses locally in Avon Scouts, I set up the Frome Scout Rifle Club.  Along with other adult coaches we had Scouts from the Club go on to represent both the County and their Country in shooting.

Before becoming part of the DC Team, I was recently the District Explorer Scout Commissioner for Avalon where I hope I was able to use all the Scouting knowledge I have leant over the years to help other Leaders, to offer great programmes for the young adults and gave them the skills they need in Life.