County Team – Dan Weaver
The Chairperson, newsletter editor and sailing freak
Hi, I'm Dan, the person that somehow ended up as Chairperson of Derbyshire Network in January 2008. I’m 23, live in Littleover (sort of) and am also a member of Lynx Network.
My main two aims as Chairperson are to significantly raise the profile of Derbyshire Network (both outside and within Scouting – locally and nationally) and to recruit lots of new members into the wonderful world of Network. I also wanted to get a proper team together so that the members were more involved in the running of our Network and so that the big events we used to be famous for are a bigger success than ever.
It’s a lot of fun and I’ve met many brilliant people and made lots of new friends along the way. And they haven’t kicked me out yet so I’m here to stay for at least a little longer! Its hard work – but as our slogan says: “be prepared to work hard, but play harder!”
Scouting experience and interests
I've been right through Scouting, having started in Beavers at the age of 6. Without Scouting, I would be an entirely different person and certainly would not have had many of the fantastic opportunities I have had to try out all manner of different activities, meet people from around the world and travel across Europe and beyond.
My main role at present is as Chairperson of Derbyshire Network, although I am also an Assistant Explorer Scout Leader and volunteer first mate with Scout sail training charity Adventures Offshore. This means I get to sail 50 foot Oyster yachts around the UK and Europe, teaching young people “the ropes” along the way. Derby might be about as far from the sea as you can get in this country, but it hasn’t stopped me getting hooked on sailing!
I also enjoy camping, climbing and walking in the countryside – you can’t beat a good day out amongst the hills if you ask me (except for sailing, of course). I’m a bit click happy and love taking photos of everywhere I go.
Best moment in Scouting – witnessing the most fantastic sunrise ever whilst in charge of a watch aboard Ocean Scout on a beam reach under full sail with a steady force 5, half way across the North Sea from Newcastle to Norway…
Outside Scouting
A bit limited as, to be honest, most of what I do is Scouting in one form or another! In my spare time I work in an office as a tax advisor (!). Apart from that, I like to spend time with friends and family, spend time travelling and out in the countryside exploring and taking photos.
Other bits
Likes – Maps (not sat navs!), sailing, camping, “the great outdoors”, sailing, climbing, photography, sailing, flying, fire, socialising and… sailing.
Hates – Sat navs.
Favorite music – Anything with some decent guitar! Indie, grunge, classic rock. But not “bang bang bang, ra ra ra” music!
Favorite TV shows – TV, what’s that? I don’t get time to watch much (is there ever anything decent on anyway??), but I do like the occasional bit of Dr Who, Spooks and classic comedies such as Fawlty Towers and Father Ted.