Country's scouts enjoy their 'best ever' conference in Trim

Almost 600 scouts and scout leaders from all over the country descended on Trim last weekend for the annual national conference of Scouting Ireland, which was held at Knightsbrook Hotel. This was the first time that the organisation held its annual conference in County Meath and, with some 570 delegates in attendance, it was one of the hotel's largest conferences to date. It was also the first time that the youth campsite was located adjacent to the hotel, which organisers say was a major bonus and one that made the venue stand out when a location was being selected. Some 150 youth delegates, aged from 14 to 22, camped out for the weekend and attended the conference, the largest ever youth attendance at their conference. The weekend's events began on Friday evening with a parade involving 350 scouts from the 15 Meath scout groups through Trim town. The parade finished at Trim Castle where the scouting flag was raised over the castle and flew all weekend. The parade was followed by a civic reception hosted by Trim Town Council at Trim Castle Hotel, attended by Deputy Ray Butler, local town councillors, a number of county councillors, James Brennan of Meath Tourism and members of Trim Tidy Towns committee. Cathaoirleach Cllr Trevor Golden welcomed the group and Chief Scout of Ireland, Michael John Shinnick, also addressed the reception and made a presentation to Cllr Golden and James Brennan. On Saturday, the conference was opened by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, who was welcomed by a guard of honour from the local Trim scouting group. In his address, Mr Quinn spoke highly of Scouting Ireland and said he was very impressed by the programme and the way it educated young people in the outdoor setting. It was then down to business as the 570 delegates discussed the various motions before the conference and the election of officers was also held. On Saturday night, the gala ball took place in Knightsbrook Hotel when broadcaster Joe Duffy presented the showcase of scout projects, including a development aid project in an Indian orphanage, two scouts from Carrickmacross who climbed Mont Blanc and a fundraising project at Oxygen every year where scouts put up tents at the event. This year, funds raised went to Cheeverstown House, a retreat home, where the money goes towards the sensory garden. A presentation was also given on Scouting Ireland's new €3m campsite project at Castle Saunderson on the Fermanagh/Cavan border. Provincial commissioner for the north-east, Jimmy Cunningham, thanked Meath County Commissioner, Greg Boyd, for organising the campsite and the local group leader in Trim, Gail Fitzgerald, for their work. All 15 groups in Meath were represented at the conference. Mr Cunningham said it was the best conference Scouting Ireland has ever held and the location had been very suitable.