A LONG-SERVING scouts leader marked 50 years of service by investing one of her former cubs as a leader – 34 years after they first met.
Christine Marett and her husband Mick Marett have been part of the 2nd Jersey Greve d’Azette scout group for a combined total of 102 years, both joining in their teenage years.
The 2nd Jersey Greve d’Azette scout group was formed in 1951, making it one of the oldest scout groups on the Island, and is based at the Kenneth Faucon Memorial Scout Hall near Longueville Golf Club.
Mrs Marett is now the leader of the cub pack, and hosts the group meetings for around four hours per week as well as planning the programme and camps. She has held this role for around 40 years – after her husband stepped down to look after their eldest son – having previously been an assistant scout leader.
Alongside leading the scout group, Mrs Marett is part of a scheme called Read 2 Dogs, which involves her taking her two cesky terriers in to Grands Vaux and St Clement’s primary schools, and having young students read to the dogs.
Mrs Marett said: “The dogs listen to the children read. They’re not judging them and it really helps build their confidence.”
Her husband, Mick, is a trustee of the scout group and also the leader of the scout band, which plays on Remembrance Sunday. He helps out at the club with activities.
Christine described scouting as a “way of life” for her and her husband.
And, in a show of her longevity and dedication to the scouts movement, Mrs Marett recently invested one her old cubs, Mark Pallot, as a beaver leader.
Mark, who is also known as Toad within the group, came back as a leader having been a cub more than three decades ago, because his son is now apart of the group.
Mrs Marett said: “I think it’s great that he’s decided to come back and put something back into the group that gave him so many opportunities to learn.
“Usually our group lead volunteer would do it but they asked me, because I’d invested Mark as a cub, and especially now that his son is in the beavers, they thought it was a rather nice thing. I’m thrilled that I was asked.”
She added: “I’ve been leading the cub pack for about 40 years. The best bit is when the kids have had a great time – then you know you’ve put on a really good programme.
“We do kayaking, fire cooking, even hired a couple of ribs and took them out on a trip – scouting really does provide life skills for young people.
“There’s badges in martial arts, horse riding, personal safety, community, swimming, etc, so there should be something for every child. I avoid having them do too much writing because they do that all day at school.”
