Les Osbourne (Les) Assistant Scout Leader.

Les had a major role in the development and running of the Scout Troop (Intrepid and Enterprise) from the late 1970’s for many many years. Very much involved in organising and attending annual and weekend camps and of course the weekly Troop Night. His contribution to running the Troop was pivotal to its success. One could always rely on Les to come up with some great ideas and follow them through to a successful conclusion. He had many strengths particularly in Scout Craft, keeping on top of the administration and in his sensitive interaction with the young people he came into contact with through Scouting. The Troop would not have functioned so well without Les’s cool and thoughtful approach. He was very agile and would show how he could climb under and over a trestle table without touching the floor! He was always modest about his skills and knowledge and had that special ‘Scouting Spirit’. There are many instances where Les came to the rescue when on a camp or at the Troop night – thinking up an interesting activity or game when we were at a loss. Les was always first to test out the assault course we built at summer camp to ensure it worked OK. He excelled at cooking on wood fires, skinning rabbits, building bivouacs and was always first to lead a canoeing activity on lakes and rivers whilst at camp. Both Les’s sons were Scout members and he was justifiably proud of them, one going on to become a Leader. Les was also a caring partner for Chris, his wife, who was most supportive of his Scouting involvement. We have a saying in Scouts “You only get to know someone when you have camped with them”. It can be confirmed by those who shared camps that Les Osborne was equal amongst the finest of Leaders at 1st Great Sutton. His legacy will live on through his influence on both adults and young people he came into contact with and the culture he promoted within Scouting will endure through those he met and those he never met personally.