e Late Colin Bennett was "such a good, committed and dedicated Scout Friend who had gone out of his ways to venture into Africa and to have contributed towards community development."

Colin was the driving force behind the Avon Venture Scout project to build the B-P Training Centre and Campsite at Jinja in Uganda.

"His work in Uganda remains a significant and permanent mark in Africa." BRAVO!!!

His motto all the way from Avon Venture Scouts to Africa was to "help young people get the most out of life".

The Great Encounter:On 13th. Sept. 1999, during one of his adventures to Kenya, Colin met Scouter Paul Kabao in Nyeri Town.

Scouter Kabao who identified Colin as a Scout Friend because of the Scout Uniform he was wearing extended a Scouting Hand of Friendship.

After a brief talk on the town road-side, Scouter Kabao helped Colin carry his heavy luggage and guided him to visit the Nyeri Scout Area Shop/Office.  After signing in, they toured the BP’s grave site.

They later had a joyful company and discussion on youth development issues as they relaxed at Central Hotel in Nyeri Town.

Through this encounter and inspiration, Scouter Paul Kabao determination to start a viable youth project in Kenya later in years started to realise when at one time he was trying to search the where-about of Colin Bennett through the internet and e-mail.

While trying to link up with Scouter Colin, Scouter Kabao virtually met with Chris Wilkinson online who in confidence informed him about the ailing condition of Scouter Colin who had by then stopped communicating.

Later, Scouter Colin (went home) on 26th. April 2003.

As Baden Powell once said ...the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people.

YES (Youth Education Support) (www.yes.or.ke) was later to be founded by Scouter Paul Kabao in 2001 in Nairobi Kenya - as a way of continuing to help young people get the most out of life.

The Late Colin enthusiasm and commitment should be an example to us all.  He had Scouts Friends in Africa and will be greatly missed. "A good Scout has gone home".

Memories of Colin Bennett

Members of the Network joined Barbara Bennett, her sons with their families for a Requiem Mass and Burial on Friday 2 May 2003, at St Mary's Church, Henbury, Bristol.  Colin had been placed in the Church on the Thursday evening when a short service had taken place.
 
The Church was filled to capacity (many standing) with Colin's family and many friends from his Church, Bristol Cathedral School, Brentry School where he was a Governor, professional friends and from Scouting, his local group with their distinctive black/white bordered neckerchiefs, Avon County Commissioner and those who have participated in the Avon Venture Scout Project.  Also present were members of the UK-Uganda Network. 

The Service was conducted by Colin's friend the Rev. David Lloyd - whom Colin first met at the source of the Nile, together with Rev.Julie Nicholson, Organist - John Tayler.  Also taking part was Father Picavet from Jinja, Colin's close friend and facilitator of the BP Training Centre and Camp Site which has been developed in Bwenda, Uganda. 

At the Funeral Service, Barbara reflected on Colin's life as a committed Christian and his love for his family and for helping others. In his Sermon, Rev.David Lloyd spoke how he had first met Colin in Uganda, prior to him becoming the Priest at St Mary's Church and how Colin had served the Church in many ways, not least by building the "Easter Garden" in previous years after the Good Friday Service,ready for Easter Day.  He said that you don't buy Easter decorations at a local supermarket, but it was Colin who brought the Easter Message home to their congregation. 

Four Leaders of the Venture Aid Project, were part of the party carrying Colin's coffin for his committal in the Church Graveyard.  
Following the service, Colin's family had invited all back to the Dower House where we were able to be thankful for the friendship and work which had brought us all together through Avon Venture Aid and the UK-Uganda Network.  

The Board for Avon Venture Aid were to meet, with Father Picavet on Monday 5 May, to discuss the exit strategy, for the summer expedition will bring to an end the 10 year project and commitment of Avon Venture Scouts - not realising back in 1993 that it would coincide with the closing of Venture Scouting and opening of Explorer Scouts and Scout Network for the future.
 
Barbara and her family have asked, if you wish, that any donations should be made to St Peters Hospice (Caring at Home), Uganda Expedition (for Colin's Memorial Prayer Garden at Buwenda).  We all hope that it may be possible in the future for them to visit what I am sure will be a fitting memorial for Colin's involvement and encouragement of this Centre.
 
A website is being developed to encourage support and use of the BP Training Centre and Campsite, particularly by UK Scouts in the future and I am sure the new Chairman will be keen to encourage a trip for those in Avon and from the UK in the not too distant future.

More Photos by UK Uganda Network