Who are we?
Our Scout group is run by a team of a talented and dedicated volunteers. All uniformed volunteers are DBS checked and trained in First Aid and Safeguarding. They also undertake other training to run activities, camps and great meetings.
Peter Lewis (GLV)
Group Lead Volunteer
(Formally Group Scout Leader)
Born in 1951, Peter has been involved with Scouting both as a child and an adult for many years. He brings a wealth of Scouting experience to the Group, having started as a Cub Scout at 72 nd Epping Forest South. As a Scout, he was the 'founder member' of the 6th Chingford Scout Group and then went on to become an adult leader. He was Asst Cub Leader, and then Scout Leader at 2nd Chadwell Heath Scout Group before becoming the Group Scout Leader, and then Chairman at the same Group.
Peter joined Ash Green Scout Group in 2012, taking on the role of Asst Group Scout Leader. In October 2015, he was appointed as Group Scout Leader and took over responsibility for the Group from Alan Gordon so that Alan could start the Excelsior Explorer Unit. Peter, who is also a County Training Advisor and the Deputy District Commissioner for Swanley, is a firm believer that the 'traditional' values of Scouting - camping, cooking, practical skills, duty and respect for others etc - are still relevant today and can work hand in hand with modern Scouting activities and programmes to benefit our young people.
Peter was awarded the Commissioner's Commendation Award in February 2021 and Chief Scouts Award for Merit in July 2021.
Michael Banks (GLTM, CTL, WM and Youth Centre Liaison)
Group Leadership Team Volunteer
(Formally Deputy Group Scout Leader),
Cub Scout team lead - Jungle Pack, Group Webmaster and Youth Centre Trustee
Mike - Akela, born in 1969, was one of the very first Cub and Scout in New Ash Green after the group was formed. He has been a Cub Scout Leader (CSL) for Jungle Pack since 2014. Mike was ACSL for two years before this and achieved his first set of Wood beads in June 2017. Mike became Assistant Group leader (AGSL) in 2022. He’s a fully trained Archery GB, Rifles, Fencing and Tomahawk instructor, popular activities in the group. Mike is also a Kent Active Support team member and volunteer Instructor at Kent County Scouts HQ in Maidstone.
Mike has lived in New Ash Green most of his life. He was one of the first attenders at the Ash Green Cubs and Scouts in the late 1970s.
After starting his working life in magazine publishing, he went on to be Head designer for a South African advertising agency for many years. He now works as a TA and Support staff at a local primary school, he is involved in lots of areas of village life. This includes being part of the Youth Centre Trust, where the Scout Group meets.
He got involved after his son joined Beavers in 2014 and hasn't looked back. Mike finds being a section leader hugely rewarding, helping children learn new skills and overcome their fears and build their confidence.
Mike was awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in November 2019.
Jasper Holliday (CTM)
Cub Scout team member - Forest pack
Jasper grew up in New Ash Green, and was an active member of Ash Green Scouts in the 1980's & 90's, as a Cub, Scout and Venture. He has very fond memories of the amazing experiences that Scouting opened up for him, and an appreciation for the range of life skills he learned during that time.
Jasper joined as an Assistant Beaver Scout Leader for Little Dambusters Colony, where his elder daughter Rhiannon has been thoroughly enjoying her early years of Scouting. He later when on to become an Assistant Cub Scout Leader for Forest Pack.
Jasper has spent the last 18 years in a range of roles with Barclays, where he is currently a Commercial Manager in Branch Transformation. Outside of work he is Chairman of New Ash Green and Hartley Cricket Club, for whom he plays mainly social cricket(!), he acts with both Act One in NAG and Hartley Players, and is an active member of the congregation at St Peter & St Paul, Ash.
Penny O'Reilly (BTL)
Beaver Scout Section team lead - Little Foresters
Penny is the proud daughter of a Queen's Scout and a former District Commissioner. Some of her earliest memories are from her mum's Guide camps, where she had 30 'big sisters' looking out for her. Penny gave up her post as Brown Owl 20 years ago, knowing one day she'd return. Two weeks after her son was invested as a Beaver, she said "I'll do it".
Penny lives in New Ash Green with her husband, son and cat, Ziggy. She works part time at the local school and is a member of a residents committee.
Laura King (BTL)
Beaver Scout team lead - Little Dambusters
Laura actively became involved in Scouting when her daughter joined Beavers, she had helped on some occasions when her son joined Beavers in 2017. Laura has taken on the role of Assistant Beaver Scout Leader with Little Foresters Beaver Colony and has now taken on the role of Beaver Scout Team Lead at Little Dambusters.
Outside of Scouting Laura works for a local accountancy firm, where she has been working as an account manager for the last 7 years.
Alexa Williams (BTM, CTM)
Beaver Scout team member - Little Dambusters and Cub Scout team member -
Jungle pack
Born in 2005. Alexa (Bubble) has been part of the group for years. Originally a Cub with Jungle pack and Scout she later became a helper with the Cubs most Fridays. Now she has turned 18, she has joined the uniformed leader team. Alexa also works locally in the community.
Alexa helps out at both Little Dambusters Beavers and Jungle Pack Cubs.
Tracy Wood (BTM)
Beaver Scout team member - Little Foresters
Tracy became involved in Scouting when her son joined Beavers. She took on the role of Assistant Beaver Scout Leader with Little Foresters Beaver Colony. Tracy comes from a Scouting family where her mother was a Group Scout Leader and also an Assistant District Commissioner for Cubs. Her father, Peter Lewis, is the Group Scout Leader of Ash Green Scout Group (and is also both the Deputy District Commissioner for Swanley District and a County Management Training Adviser. Tracy is very well known in the community as one of the founders and volenteers of the local food bank - The Community Cupboard. She is also a community coordinator for the co-op stores in the area.
Holly Hughesdon (BTM)
Beaver team member - Little Dambusters
Holly (Tic-Tac) became actively involved with Little Dambusters as part of the new leader team in 2023. Her eldest son attends the group, and youngest son is hoping to follow.
Born in 1993, Holly has lived in New Ash Green her majority life. In her youth, she was a member of The Girls Brigade (1st Ash Green) and was a Guide. Holly also works in the local community.
In her spare time, she is a keen kayaker and enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, including their Alaskan Malamute dog.
Lindsay Ketcher (CTM)
Cub Scout team member - Forest Pack and Jungle Pack
Lindsay (Raksha) first joined Ash Green Scout Group in May 2011 as a ACSL & became CSL in September the same year and stayed on until July 2014 before moving out of the area. She returned in January 2017 and became ASCL for Forest Pack & then joined Jungle Pack as well in April 2017. Lindsay enjoys walking, being outdoors & building campfires. She loves the community feel of Ash Green Scout Group & teaching the Cubs new things.
Lindsay got her love for scouting from her dad, Alan Gordon who originally bribed her with chocolate to be an occasional helper before convincing her to take on a more regular role. They often used to discuss programmes & camps & come up with ideas together.
Tanya Williams (CTM)
Cub Scout team member - Jungle Pack
Tanya started with Ash Green Cubs as an occasional helper when her children started with cubs. She then took on the role of Assistant Cub Scout Leader and then Cub Scout Leader when the previous Akela left the area.
Working as a lecturer at a local college Tanya is a firm believer in working with young people. She likes that a uniformed group can help them develop confidence, make friends and to participate with various activities, including adventurous and traditional scouting accomplishments. Tanya is also a uniformed officer with the Royal Airforce Cadets.
Julie Bass (CTL)
Cub Scout team lead - Forest Cub Pack
Julie joined Ash Green Scout group in July 2015, following encouragement from her friend Helen Richardson, SL of Wilderness and the late Alan Gordon who persuaded her to take on a uniformed role as Assistant Scout Leader.
Her first year was as Assistant Scout Leader with Timber Troop for which she gained her first wood beads, and she still helps Timber Troop on occasion with camps and activity days. In September 2016 she was asked by Charlotte Jarvis to help out with Forest Pack taking on an Assistant Cub Leader role and then becoming Akela (CSL) in April 2018.
Not being from a Scouty background originally, Julie has found that it has become an integral part of her life and has made some amazing friends in her fellow leaders across all sections of Ash Green Group, especially her Husband Steve Bass (ASL of Timber Troop at the time).
Julie has now lived in New Ash Green for a couple of years and become immersed in village life - as well as working with the Cubs and Scouts she is also a member of NAG Social committee who arrange various village events and support village projects.
Julie finds being a leader really worthwhile - helping young people make friends, develop their confidence and overcome their fears when trying new adventurous activities whilst also learning traditional scouting skills such as backwoods cooking, survival skills and first aid. She is just as keen to take part in (and photograph) the activities as the young people having become both a Fencing and Tomahawk instructor.
Julie is a Chartered Accountant for an ecommerce company, so with her work hours spent indoors at a computer, outside of work she enjoys exploring the outdoors - camping, walking, travelling and anything involving fire!
Julie was awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in July 2021.
Helen Richardson (STL)
Scout team lead - Wilderness Troop
Born in 1974 and not allowed to be a Cub with her friends she refused to be a Brownie, and preferred to climb trees, fish, and play football! Joined her first Group as an Assistant Cub Leader over 11 years ago, a year after her 2 sons joined as a Cub and a Beaver, becoming first the Cub Leader and Assistant Scout Leader, running both for a while, before passing over the Cubs to be Scout Leader.
She joined Ash Green Scout Group in 2014, having met Alan Gordon at KIJ in 2009 and eventually joining his group to help open the second Scout Troop, Wilderness. She believes strongly that Scouting gives young people opportunity they may not have otherwise, and is always looking for new adventures! She hasn't had a paid job in over 10 years, having given up to home educate her second son, the eldest son stayed in school, firmly believing in doing her best by each child. Her youngest is a daughter of 6, and she also has a grand-daughter of 1. She still loves football, and fishing, being outdoors if possible, making cakes and sweets, and big campfires!
Helen was awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in March 2021.
Clare Peto (STM)
Scout team member - Wilderness Troop
Clare joined Ash Green Scouts in 2015 and is now an Assistant Cub Scout Leader for Wilderness Troop after spending 6 years as an Assistant Cub leader in Jungle Pack. Having discovered how much fun scouting is and how much she loves a camp fire. She attended Brownies and Girl Guides as a girl and has worked in childcare all her adult life. She has a passion for Special Educational Needs and has worked at a local special needs school for the last five years. She has also taken her enthusiasm for scouting into the school and helped establish and run the scouting group across the secondary department.
Clare has such a 'can do' attitude, which she blames on her inability to say 'no' when anyone asks her for help, but all her friends just say its because she genuinely is a very positive person!
Clare was awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in January 2022.
Mark Jennings (ESTL, STM, Quartermaster)
Explorer Scout team lead, Scout team member - Timber Troop and Group Quartermaster
Mark first joined Ash Green Scouts in 2002 as a Cub and is yet to leave, moving up to Scouts, a Young Leader whilst an Explorer at Speedwell Explorer Unit and then moving on to become a leader.
Mark became Assistant Cub Leader, Assistant Scout Leader & Group Quartermaster in 2012 when the group was down to only three uniformed leaders, since then he has gained his Nights Away & Climbing Permits. Mark is now the Explorer Leader for our new Unit 'Excelsior Explorers', Assistant Scout Leader with 'Timber Troop' and Group Quartermaster. Mark is often heard saying "The campfire can always be bigger".
Mark was awarded the Queens Scout Award in Novmeber 2018
Paul Richardson (ETM, STL)
Explorer Scout team member and Scout team lead - Timber Troop
Born in 1972 in Dartford, I didn't come up through scouting unlike most leaders I was an air cadet and then when I was a bit older I joined the territorial army and became a member of 222 field squadron part of the London 101 regiment of royal engineers explosive ordnance disposal but I had to give it up due to work and family commitments but I'm still in touch with most of them.
I finally got involved with scouting in 2009 when I became a group helper at my old group in Wilmington, then I started the same way at new ash green until finally taking on a leader role which I really enjoy. I am the scout leader at Timber troop and also assistant explorer scout leader at Excelsior explorer scout unit.
Paul was awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in March 2024.
Steve Bass (ETM)
Explorer Scout team member
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Kelly Calow (GTM)
Group team member
Born in 1979, Kelly was more of a book worm and not really into sports but did always enjoy climbing trees and making camps in the woods outside her house. It wasn't until her daughter was 6 and joined beavers that she became an occasional parent helper and went with her daughter to her first camp at Hope Hill.
It was at beavers that Kelly saw how much fun the kids had, and the confidence it gave them, that she started helping out more. It wasn't long before she was asked to become an Beaver Leader with the little Dambusters. Due to commitments at home and going back to University Kelly has pasted on her role as Beaver Leader and is now a Group team member, helping out when needed.
Kelly was awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in January 2022.
Sarah Jacobs (GTM)
Group team member
Family time growing up involved a lot of time being spent outdoors, from camping holidays and time at the beach, to horse riding, and this is where my love for the outdoors came from. As a Brownie I completed every badge available and loved my time there so much, I stayed on to help the Brownie Pack and the new children who started.
It wasn't until later in my life, once I had my children that I found my vocation in life and became an Early Years Educator at my son's Pre School. At age 6 my son joined the Little Dambusters and he absolutely loved it. I attended many outdoor activities with him, such as hikes and outdoor sports games and quickly grew to love my time there as much as my son did. In 2019 I became a parent helper which quickly led to me becoming a uniformed Assistant Leader. Beavers learn so much through the activities and it is a joy to watch them grow in confidence before they leave us for Cubs. After many years of Beavers, Sarah sadly had to step down for her full time role because of work and family commitments. She is still an active support member of the group helping out at meeting when needed.
Mike Hazlewood 'Chip' (GSI)
Group skills instructor
Mike started with Ash Green Beavers (Little Dambusters) shortly after his daughter started. Mike is a carpenter by trade and has lots of practical skills he shares with the Beavers. He is fantastic at fire lighting and camp cooking to name a few. Qualified in both Tomahawk throwing and fencing Mike is now a Skills instructor, helping out at events and activities.
Mike was awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in December 2022.
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Mollie Burr (GSI)
Group Skills Instructor
Born in 1999 Mollie was a Scout when she was younger. She wanted to help out the group but because of work commitments she couldn't give up her time on a regular basis. She qualified as an Archery GB instructor became a Group Skills Instructor, helping out with Archery at activities and events.
Louise Banks (Trustee Chair and Publicity)
Trustee Committee Chair (Formally Executive Group Chair) and Committee member
Born in 1975, first started helping Ash Green Scout Group in May 2014 after our son joined the Beaver group. I have taken part as a parent helper on a number of camps and provided support to Jungle pack Cubs with some of their activities and badge work.
My role in the committee is to help market and promote the group and celebrate its successes. In my day job I am full time Head of Communications working in healthcare specialities. I also run a local drama group and Secretary of the New Ash Green Junior Rugby club.
Louise was awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in March 2023.
Gillian Lewis (Treasurer)
Group Treasurer
Gillian moved to New Ash Green in 1987 whilst working in Financial Services. After retirement she became a volunteer Walk Leader for Sevenoaks District Council. She is an active member of the Local Vocals, a community singing group who give performances at local fetes and who also raise money for local charities.
She became involved in the Scouting Group when her husband Peter Lewis became the Assistant Group Leader in 2012. Gillian started to sell her homemade jewellery, raising funds for the Group. She then took on the role as a Trustee and Treasurer in May 2018 and in November 2022,
Gill received the Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service in November 2022.
Clare Hambleton (Secretary)
Group Secretary
Clare is our group Secretary and Gift Aid lead.
Clare moved to New Ash Green in 1984, she has a background in HR and works at the Ministry of Justice as a Civil Servant.
Clare has been part of Ash Green Scouts for 10 years, when the first of her children joined the group. She quickly became a parent representative and then went on to support the group to claim Gift Aid on its membership fees. She later became Secretary and often supports fundraising events such as fetes. Clare is an integral part of the group.
Clare received her Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service in August 2022.
