Congratulations to Iestyn Nevatte, a well-known Scouting volunteer in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire and ScoutsCymru staff member, who was last week awarded the King’s Scout Award in a surprise ceremony organised by his former Scout group.
Iestyn, a former member of 1st Pembroke Haven Scout Group, thought he was going to be helping out at his former Cub group, as it was short on leaders. However, when he got to the meeting, he discovered that his family, his former leaders, and the current Cubs from 1st Pembroke Haven had surprised him with a ceremony to present him with the King’s Scout Award, the highest award achievable in Scouting.
He was awarded with a certificate and badge by Linda Wilson, Volunteer Leader Pembrokeshire and Sue Benbow, Volunteer Lead West Wales. Sue said: “We want to congratulate Iestyn on his hard work in gaining this award. It is a fantastic achievement.”
Iestyn joined the Scouts aged six in 2007 as a Beaver at 1st Pembroke Haven. He then continued to Cubs and Scouts before moving to Viking Explorers and Network, the Scouting section for those aged 18 to 25.
Now, 16 and a half years later, Iestyn is still an active member of Scouting in Wales. Iestyn has represented Wales at various international trips including the World Scout Jamborees in America and South Korea, and this summer will journey to Norway as a volunteer videographer for the international planning team for the 2024 Roverway, a European event for Scouts and Guides aged 16 to 22, which takes place every three to six years. In November 2023, he joined the ScoutsCymru staff team as communications and marketing intern, where he creates content for the ScoutsCymru website and social media channels.
The King’s Scout Award is made up of several elements including volunteering, learning a new skill, spending time on a residential experience and completing an expedition or exploration with a purpose. Iestyn spent five years working through the various requirements of the award.
He will now attend the Day of Celebration and Achievement in Windsor on 21 April, a prestigious annual Scouting event to recognise top award holders and to celebrate achievements of members. All those receiving their Queen’s and King’s Scout awards will take part in a march and parade which will be attended by a representative of the Royal Family, before taking part in the National Scout Service in St George’s Chapel.
He said: “Completing my King’s Scout Award has been a massive achievement. The experience I’ve had, from Scouting internationally to giving back to Beavers and Cubs as a leader, has grown me as an individual.”
“It was a huge surprise to be presented my award. I knew I had competed the award but didn’t know when the presentation would be. I thought I was just helping out with my local Cub pack as I often do when they are short on leaders, but little did I know I’d be joined by my family, past leaders and the Area team.
It was a truly amazing and emotional night being presented with my King’s Scout Award, where it all began as a Beaver.”
Sue Benbow, Volunteer Lead West Wales, added: “Iestyn has been involved in Scouting from an early age with 1st Pembroke Scout Group. He is a third generation Scouter.
“Iestyn has supported Scouting across the region with his involvement as a Lead Volunteer for the WestJam event last year, and his roles in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. He excelled as Pembrokeshire’s Youth Commissioner, organising challenges and online camps and activities throughout the Covid pandemic, as well as regular youth forums.”
She said: “His role as Deputy Lead Volunteer in Carmarthenshire has seen him supporting the development of the Area while having a Section Assistant role in a group. His role as a Jamboree unit leader at the last World Scout Jamboree in Korea, saw him rise to the challenge of leading a unit at very short notice, under difficult conditions. As expected, Iestyn fulfilled everything that was asked of him, and more.
“The presentation was sprung on Iestyn at a recent Cub pack meeting in 1st Pembroke Scout Headquarters. Iestyn’s family, the Cub leader and Area Commissioner worked together to ensure Iestyn attended the Cub meeting not knowing he was getting his award, where I was privileged to be able to do the presentation.
“Well done, Iestyn, we are proud of you.”
