Executive Committee

The Board of Trustees exist to support the GSL in the effective delivery of scouting through the provision of sufficient funds and resources. The Committee also has important Governance responsibilities – membership is drawn from parents, leaders and the local community. The committee is elected annually at the Scout Group AGM.

On this page, you can find information on the committee as well as view the minutes which have been taken at previous meetings.

The 2022/2023 Executive Committee Officers:

Executive Chair, Dawn Carman-Jones
“I have been involved with 1st Fressingfield Scout Group since 2012 when I became a parent representative on the Executive Committee. With my parents and grandparents all heavily involved in scouting, it was almost written in my DNA that I would continue the tradition and was involved from age 5-22 in the Guide and Scout movements in various youth and leadership roles. After a short break 😉 I returned and now hold the roles of Executive Chair and Group Administrator; and my husband, Chris and children are now also active Group members. I was incredibly proud to have been awarded my Wood beads in July 2017 and a County Commissioner Commendation in December 2017.”

Executive Treasurer, John Coop
“I have been treasurer with 1st Fressingfield Scout Group for 2 years having retired, following a career in accounting and finance. When asked to join the group, I was truly impressed with the dedication, commitment and passion of all the volunteers and the activities and support they provide for our young people.”

Executive Secretary, Vacancy – Interested?
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Group Scout Leader & Explorer Leader, Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne
“As Group Scout Leader I have had the exceptional pleasure of leading a great Scout Group at 1st Fressingfield, I also have responsibility for our active and renowned Explorer Scout Unit. I have been involved in scouting for around 15 years and have seen significant and sustainable growth in the Group. Previous experience includes Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme assessor, Norfolk Youth & Community worker and for almost 20 years as a Commissioned Officer with the TA&VR commanding Army Cadet Units. Professionally I am a qualified teacher, experienced Headteacher and currently the CEO of the Consortium Multi Academy Trust, operating 12 schools across Suffolk and Norfolk.”

Assistant Group Scout Leader, Peter Smith
“My role at 1st Fressingfield Scout Group is Assistant Group Scout Leader I have been a member here for 12 years, I was previously an active youth football coach until 2005. Andrew a good friend of mine and the GSL at 1st Fressingfield suggested that my wife and I joined him and his wife for the weekend camping with this group of 12 lads camping in Holt we had very little equipment and it was very old and basic but enjoyed the weekend of scouting . Well we were hooked and got talking about scouts Andrew suggested I helped out and then we started to build group bit by bit, well 12 years on our Scout Group is an exceptional Scout Group with outstanding leaders, young people and parents, all working together.”

Assistant Group Scout Leader & Pioneer Scout Leader, Michael Knights
“I joined Eye Scouts in 1968 when I was 13, achieving my Chief Scouts Award when I was 16, and no we didn’t wear short trousers in those days! I stayed helping at Eye as what would now be called a Young Leader until I was 18 when I moved to Fressingfield to become Assistant Scout Leader. In 1978 I took over as Scout Leader. Unfortunately my work moved me in 1979 and I had to move my Scouting to Cambridge. In 1986 work again brought a move, this time to Colchester and volume of work and family commitments meant I didn’t continue Scouting. In 1996 a change of career brought me back to Hoxne and I rejoined Fressingfield Scout Group when the Pioneer Troop was formed in 2012. I continue as Assistant Scout Leader, and have recently taken on an additional role as an Assistant Group Scout Leader. I also have a role in working on the New Headquarters Project and Fund Raising activities. My work outside of Scouting included 22 years in Midland Bank (now HSBC), including 15 years in Supervision and Management. I then spent 6 years as a part time lecturer at Otley College and 20 odd years growing and marketing organic vegetables and acting as an Horticultural Business Consultant.”

Ninja Beaver Scout Leader, Nicola Carr
“I have been involved with the 1st Fressingfield Scout Group, as a parent, since my youngest started Beavers in 2007 (he is now the leader of the Wolf Cubs). I became a leader in 2019 with the Warrior Beavers before joining the Ninja Beavers. I have also been involved with Girl-Guiding as an Assistant Brownie Leader for 20+ years. At work I am a Teaching Assistant, working with SEN children at Stradbroke High School. I have been there for 14 years.”

Warrior Beaver Scout Leader, Claire Evans
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Tiger Cub Scout Leader, Julie Barry
“Scouting has been a part of my life for about 15 years. Initially I was a parent helper in another Suffolk Scout group while my own boys were at Beavers and Cubs there. I progressed to Assistant Beaver and Cub leader within that group over the next 3 years. My children moved to the 1st Fressingfield Scout Group for various reasons over 10yrs ago, I became an occasional helper there, but very soon realised that I was not so ‘occasional’ any more so took on the role of Assistant Cub Leader about 6yrs ago. Fressingfield is an incredibly welcoming Scout Group, and due to its popularity I have now taken over my own Cub Section during the last 18months and am thoroughly enjoying it. I have worked with children as an HLTA in classrooms in the past, worked with children who need support in the classroom for many reasons but especially needing language support, and since have developed to work as a private tutor to both schooled and home educated children, running workshops across the county to support families in whatever way I can. Scouting teaches ‘Skills for Life’ and this is as much for the adult helpers as it is for the young people that we guide and support through the sections to become respectful, friendly and helpful members of the community.”

Wolf Cub Leader, Ciarán Carr
“Joining 1st Fressingfield Beavers in 2007, I have remained in the group ever since and have been fortunate enough to have participated in numerous camps and activities, most notably – the Explorer Belt Expedition to Kenya in 2016. Since becoming a member of the Executive in 2017, I have become increasingly more involved in the group taking on roles including Beaver Young Leader, Explorer Youth Representative, Assistant Adventure Scout Leader and currently the Group Digital Champion and Wolf Cub Leader. I too was very proud to receive the Commissioner’s Commendation Award in 2016.”

Adventure Scout Leader, Colin Clarke
“I joined 1st Fressingfield in 2013 as the Adventure Scout Leader. Since the formation of the Yoxford and Peasenhall satellite group, I have become the Scout Leader there too. Professionally, I am a PE Coach and Outdoor Learning Instructor and am part of group’s archery, shooting and fencing instructor team.”

Explorer Youth Representative, Nathan Hunt
“I joined Eye Beavers in 2010 but moved to 1st Fressingfield Scout Group in 2013. I have really enjoyed making new friendships, learning new skills and overcoming my fears. I am very thankful for being selected as an Explorer Youth Representative because I am looking forward to the experience of representing young people in this group. Away from Scouts I swim for Diss Otters and play the baritone horn in the Stradbroke Youth Band and I’m also working towards DofE Bronze Award. I am grateful for the opportunities of camps and days out with Explorers and looking forward to the future.”

Explorer Youth Representative, Teddy Chew
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Yoxford and Peasenhall School Section Representative, Gail Jerman
“As a class teacher in a primary school not too far from Fressingfield, I saw first hand, the huge benefits and opportunities that 1st Fressingfield Scouts had to offer the pupils in my class. Even though I wasn’t actively involved in the group, I have been interested from the side line for many years, and watched several ex-pupils go on to be young leaders. When I took up the position of as Academy Headteacher at Yoxford and Peasenhall Primary School, I was really excited when Andrew suggested we develop scouting within the school curriculum and operate a Beaver and Cub section. I now find myself every Friday afternoon amidst a large group of excited children, all learning new life skills and embracing new challenges together.”

Parent Representative for Ninja Beaver Scouts, Alex Dinsdale
“I had great fun at Cubs at Earsham and Sea Scouts at Bungay many years ago, and was always enthusiastic about my children following the same path. I joined the committee in 2019 when my daughter was still at Beavers; she has now moved to Cubs and her younger brother has recently joined Beavers and is following in her footsteps. I’m very pleased to be supporting the continued development of the Scout movement in Fressingfield.”

Parent Representative for Warrior Beaver Scouts, Sarah Mortimer
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Parent Representative for Tiger Cub Scouts, Dr Emma Petty
“I was elected as the Beaver parent representative for the Executive Committee in June 2017. Having enjoyed being part of the Guiding movement when I was young, I am delighted that both my children are keen members of the 1st Fressingfield Scout Group – one in Beavers and one in Pioneers. Both thoroughly enjoy being part of the Scouting movement and participating in new experiences. As a family, we try to support as many of the events and activities as possible.”

Parent Representative for Wolf Cubs, Vacant
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Parent Representative for Pioneer Scouts, Karine Last
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Parent Representative for Adventure Scouts, Vacant
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Parent Representative for Explorer Scouts, Robin Chew
“I was in the Cubs and Scouts when I was young and found it so rewarding that I encouraged my own two children to join. I am pleased to say both took to it have have both been enthusiastic members of the Beavers, then the Cubs and now the Scouts. A great change since my time is that my daughter can now join in. I joined the Executive Committee in 2014 as a parent representative for the Cubs. We aim to support the leaders who give so much of their time as well as ensuring that the group is run responsibly and effectively. Fundraising is another important role for us. Our next big challenge is the HQ project.”

Associate Member, Clive Mobbs
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