Gareth Sorley

Assistant Explorer Scout Leader

Contact Gareth on albertz92@hotmail.com

Hi everyone,

Well, Scouting started for me in 1990 when I joined the Beavers at Fairmilehead. I then went on to Castlelaw Cubs, then 114th Scout Troop, before briefly being involved in the 114th Venture Scout Unit, before at age 18, spending some time in Russia and moving down to Sheffield to study at University.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Scouting and I’m very glad to be back involved. Neil and Russell were Leaders during my time in Scouts and they were of course the founding Leaders of 114th Venture Scouts, which later led to SMESU. Although from 18, until recently (Jan 08) I haven’t been involved in Scouting, I have kept in touch with Neil and Russell and have been very impressed with the stories they’ve told about the success and fun times they’ve had over the past 6 years with SMESU.

I have great memories of my time in Scouting and I’m very happy to be involved again. Although there were lots of fun times during my time in the Scouting movement, the highlights that spring to mind are The International Scout Jamboree in Cheadle (1999) and the Venture Scout Camp on the Isle of Arran (2000), along with many campfires up at Bonaly. I was never involved in any international expeditions during my original time in Scouting, so I’m delighted/very excited to be part of the team going over to Uganda (summer 2009).

Anyway, a wee bit more about me. After finishing school in 2001, I took a Gap Year, where I worked for a few months, before going over to Russia to help teach English. Then in 2002 I moved down south, to study Russian and Business Studies at The University of Sheffield. I spent my 3rd in Russia studying at uni over there. Having graduated in 2006, I spent a year working for the Home Office in Sheffield, before moving back up to Edinburgh just before Christmas 2007.

Anyway, I’m into sport, both watching and playing, particularly football and hockey. I enjoy travelling, and listening to music, but particularly the best band in the World ever: The Bee Gees.

Cheers for now

Gareth