Bill Craig, Silver Wolf. An Exceptional Scout.

The Silver Wolf is the unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout, and is only awarded for service of the most exceptional nature.

Bill Craig was the most exceptional Scout and, it is only right, that he has been posthumously awarded the Silver Wolf.

Bill had been actively involved in Scouting for over 47 years, promoting the values and ethos of Scouting to both young people and adults. Bill was an Assistant Venture Scout Leader, Assistant GSL, ADC Venture Scouts and GSL at 2nd Coatbridge and, finally, in 2011, he became District Commissioners Calder District and served as DC until 2019.

Bill took the time and effort. research the achievements of his pool of leaders to recognise and reward their commitment and achievements in Scouting In addition to those eligibles formal recognition, Bill understood how important the hard work and efforts of young people, leaders and their families was to the success of local scouting.

Through his contact the Rotary Club, Bill secured a substantial financial donation was ring fenced to finance leader training, ensuring that it was open and available to all, removing real and perceived barriers thereby allowing adults to complete their wood badge training. When standing down as DC, Bill continued to support local Scouting when he took on the role of SAS.. Manager for Coltswood campsite. Coltswood campsite has been owned by Calder District/Clyde Region since the amalgamation of Monklands/Motherwell Districts in 2008. Coltswood is a 34-acre area of land, historically used for camping by Monklands District but use has been restricted in recent years owing a lack of direction and safety concerns about the site.

Bill’s knowledge of the wood was second to none, through many years of use both as a boy and in various leader roles at 2nd Coatbridge. Through this knowledge, Bill was able. recruit and manage a group of Scout Active Support members and bring Coltswood back to a level where it could be used by the wider Scouting community.

Thanks to the hard work of Coltswood SAS Unit, groups have been able to access the woods for:

• Survival Camps
• Hammock Camps
• Backwoods Practice
• Sausage Sizzles/Campfires
• Games days etc

Bill was a member of the Rotary Club of Coatioridge, Airdrie and Monklands of which he is a past Senior Vice President, Past President and, most recently, Sergeant at Arms. He was the Project Manager of the Club Christmas Lunch which runs annually for the homeless and disadvantaged of the community. This provides fellowship and a Christmas dinner for up to 140 people who would be alone and in poor circumstances during the Christmas period. The guests are drawn from Women’s Aid, the homeless, care home residents without living relatives to share the festivities, etc.

In January 2020 Bill was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award which is the highest award for the Rotary International organisation. The award was made to recognise 40 years of dedicated service to The Scout Association, plus 15 years of Rotarian service during which he displayed an outstanding level of service to the many other local community enterprises and Rotary Projects he enthusiastically supports.

Bill represented The Scout Association as a coordinator of the sale of poppies for the Earl Haig Fund Scotland, run by his Rotary Club. He also organised the Scout participation at the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph for Monklands area.

I’m sure you’ll agree, a most exceptional man.