Meet the Leaders
“Passing on my passion for; the outdoors, travelling, meeting new people, being inclusive of everyone and passing on #skillsforlife, to our awesome young people is for me the joy of Scouting, it’s a pleasure and a priviledge”.
Rob Partington (Paddy)
Explorer Scout Leader
Paddy’s Scouting experience began as an 8 year old when he first joined his local Cub Pack, and he’s never left! Since then he’s been a Scout, a Venture Scout (what we had before Explorers!), Scout Leader, ADC Scouts and District Commissioner.
He started Royton Explorer Scouts in 2002 when Explorers were invented to replace Venture Scouts, and he’s been there ever since. He is currently also Deputy County Commissioner, responsible for overseeing all the training of leaders in the Greater Manchester North County. His favourite part of explorers is getting out into the great outdoors, especially abroad, and he has ran numerous international trips for Scouts and Explorers all over Europe.
When not working or Scouting he is an avid climber and mountaineer, something he was introduced to in Scouts and which now forms part of his buisness. Mountaineering has led him to the top of many of Europes highest mountains and to places as far away as Kyrgystan. If he’s not on top of a mountain or dangling off a lump of rock, you can usually find him at the Etihad Stadium supporting the greatest football team in the world!
Andrew Edwards (Eddie)
Asssitant Explorer Scout Leader
Eddie was born into the Scout movement with his grandfather being a previous County Commissioner of Greater Manchester North Scouts.
He joined St Georges in Chadderton at the age of six and progressed through all the sections of the movement as a young person, before becoming first a Scout Leader and now an Explorer Scout Leader. Other previous roles in Scouting include being responsible for Scout Network (the Section for 18-25 year olds) across the County.
He is currently also training manager for the Oldham Borough District. If you’ve ever been to Greater Manchester North Scout HQ, Eddie is the person who runs the place – and usually stops you parking in front of the bins! Outside of Scouting Eddie is a self confessed computer / gaming geek, enjoys spending time with his family and loves camping.
“You can’t beat the Beaver Scout Motto for what Scouting is all about – fun and friends!”
“Putting into words what Scouting means to me is incredibly difficult! Supporting young people as they grow, mature and develop #skillsforlife is perhaps one of the most rewarding things you can do in life!”
Jon Atkinson
Asssitant Explorer Scout Leader
Jon is another lifelong Scouter who joined the movement in Beavers and has never left. He went through all the sections of his group in Chadderton before becoming an adult leader, first in Cubs and then in Explorers.
He has held various positions within the Greater Manchester North Scout County, including Deputy County Commissioner and County Chair.
He currently holds a national role for the UK Scout Association as part of its compliance team. He is a qualified D of E Assessor and loves all aspects of outdoor life. Professionally he is the Managing Director of a national software development company working in the Education sector.