Robertson Davies, one of Canada’s best known novelists, once commented about his homeland: “Some countries you love. Some countries you hate. Canada is a country you worry about.” Well, judging by the weekend I have just enjoyed, he needn’t worry now. From Thursday to Sunday, over 150 young people, aged between 14 and 25, gathered…
At yesterday’s UK Scout Annual General Meeting, Fi Durrant, a young(ish!) Leader, presented a reflection before the main business of the meeting. It was brilliant. And it’s worth reading… http://fidurrant.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-scout-association-reflection-for-agm.html
I was listening to the always wonderful Simon Mayo’s BBC Radio 2 podcast this morning on my way to work. He was talking to the poet Roger McGough. Roger was bemoaning the closure of libraries around the country, particularly those in schools. Computers may give children instant access to information, he argued, but they don’t…
Twitter: I’m doing my Silver #IntAward #DofE Adventurous Journey this weekend Facebook: I like doing the Award, and these friends like doing it too FourSquare: This is where we are camping Instagram: This is a vintage photograph of my tent YouTube: Here I am in my tent LinkedIn: I…
The last time I sat in the Great Hall at Bristol University’s Wills Building, I was sitting my Finals exams for my degree. Last night, I stood where the invigilator had stood – and spoke to a room full of Scout Leaders about the impact of Scouting, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and youth work…
I went to see the RSC’s production of Matilda this evening at the Cambridge Theatre. I know I’m not the first to say it, but I think the show might just be one of those ‘once in a generation’ theatrical events. Tim Minchin’s score is inspired. And Dennis Kelly’s book perfectly captures Roald Dahl’s curious combination of…
When I was a child, I think I imagined that being a grown-up meant being able to do all the things I wanted to do, but was prevented from doing by my parents and teachers. Sadly, according to research undertaken by the Skipton Building Society, I was wrong. Here are the 50 things that the…
Humairah Jassat left school last year, lives in Gauteng, South Africa and is now studying journalism at Varsity college. She also happens to be one of the most inspiring young people I have ever met. She grew up in what she describes as a “nice, Muslim family”. She never lacked for anything, but began to realise,…
It is a beautiful sunny afternoon in Cape Town. This morning I was able to visit the top of Table Mountain. The views from there, on a clear day like today, are amazing. The city stretches out beneath you to the bay. The sea shimmers. And Robben Island sits in the middle of the water,…