Tom joined the 45th Cheltenham (Bethesda) Wolf Cubs at the age of ten after an A5 sized flyer promoting the group dropped through his letterbox at home. Having thoroughly enjoyed Wolf Cubs, Tom quickly moved on to Scouts and remembers his first Scout Camp at Whitsun in the Grove at Cranham. "There were Scouts from all over the County. It was a wonderful experience, I loved being outdoors, hiking, cooking, and camping with my Patrol. I remember the older Scouts really looking after me. Looking back on it this was my first big Scouting Adventure, and I have had a love of Cranham and the opportunities and adventures that it offers ever since."

Later, having progressed through the sections of Scouting at 45^th Cheltenham, Tom joined the Cub Scout Section again as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader, and later as a Cub Scout Leader, and in 1973 took on the role of District Cub Scout Leader, before becoming Assistant District Commissioner in 1976. While continuing to actively working in the Cub Scout Section (becoming Assistant County Commissioner for Cub Scouts in 1996), Tom also joined the County Adult Leader Training Team in 1983. He completed his Adult Trainer training at Gilwell and since then has helped hundreds of adults to gain the skills they need to bring the adventures of Scouting to literally thousands of young people. Most recently Tom accepted the challenge of implementing the new Adult Training Scheme, taking on the role of County Training Manager.

Everyone is going to have their own special memories of the Centenary, Tom particular values the memories from the Sunrise Ceremony at Gilwell Park, and a Day Visit to the World Jamboree. "It was a very special feeling to be among 52,000 members of Scouting from nearly every country in the world, all of them having a great time, making new friends from around the world, understanding more about the challenges that face the world today, and enjoying a once in a lifetime adventure". Tom added "It was a similar feeling at the O2 Dome when I saw the festival of Scouting. Watching the big displays in the arena you could not help but be impressed with what young people can achieve, I was proud to be part of an organisation that has as its aim a desire to support young people as they strive to do the best that they can".

Tom is looking forward to the years ahead. "I enjoy a challenge, and I like trying new things; I guess that’s something I share with our Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts. But I also enjoy working with other people, hearing their ideas and opinions, and having a clear plan of what is actually needed before starting to change anything. Then I like getting things done!"

Over the coming months Tom aims to:

• Build upon the sound work of Joan Goldsmith, and Michael Baston before her, that has set down a sound foundation for Scouting in the County.
• Listen to leaders at grass roots level in every district to hear about their successes, challenges, concerns and aspirations for Scouting in Gloucestershire.
• Build an enhanced ‘County Team’ – "I want everyone who has any role in Scouting within Gloucestershire to feel part of the County".
• Formulate a new County Development Plan to guide the direction of Scouting in Gloucestershire over the coming months and years.
• Most of all to support the provision of high quality Scouting to as many young people as possible, getting young people off waiting lists and into sections, and supporting leaders old and new in the delivery of enjoyable balanced programmes that really give young people a head start in life.

"It’s a privilege and an honour to be asked to serve as your County Commissioner. I am really looking forward to working with you all to give young people Scouting that they will want to remember for the rest of their life" - Tom Harding.