KILWINNING Scout Leader Alister Kerr will be switching on the town’s Christmas lights this year.

The Switch-on will take place on Thursday, November 23, following a search for a local hero to do the honours.

In 2018, Alister Kerr will celebrate being an active and committed Leader within the 19th Ayrshire (Kilwinning) Scout Group for 50 years. He joined Kilwinning Scouts as a Cub Scout in 1958, and has basically never left. His dedication to Kilwinning Scouts is remarkable and an outstanding lifetime achievement.

Kilwinning Scouts have grown over the years to become the largest Scout group in the Region with over 200 young people and adult volunteers.

Alister has continued to provide an active Scout programme and he is always directly leading activities and events. While some say young people are not interested in Scout related activities these days; Alister totally disagrees.

He said: “Being part of a group of young people taking part in adventurous activities like camping and hiking, develop skills and confidence that they will take with them on their journey.”

So many previous Scouts have Alister to thank for providing them with experiences that have shaped their future.

As Scouting has over 28 million members world-wide, Alister has led International Scouting experiences since 1981, taking groups to Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland every four years since.

The group’s week long Annual Summer Camp has continually run since records began. The traditions of which have been continued to today. Patrol Camping, Camp Inspection, Backwoods Cooking and Camp fires are the foundation of the active programme. Alister spends most of his week visiting all sections within the group, Beavers (6-8), Cubs 8-10), Scouts (10-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18).

The switch-on promises to be a great night out with the family. Santa will be in his grotto - on the Main Street from 3.30pm.

The Main Event will start at 4.30 pm with entertainment on the main stage, stalls and children’s rides on the Main Street. Fairground rides in the car park. The switch-on will then take place at 6.15pm.

Volunteers are needed to help steward the event and help with fundraising and planning. If interested in entertaining on stage, having a stall or being a volunteer contact Carol Smith on casmith2659@gmail. com.