Tim Peake first British astronaut to walk on the International Space Station. On Friday he celebrated the biggest birthday present of all by cutting the tape on a new scout hut in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. The 53-year-old astronaut, from Chichester, spoke with about 50 young scouts, aged four to 14, during the event. His passion still runs deep, as he excitedly painted pictures from his incredible travels through space.
Peake stressed that the skills he developed as a scout were invaluable when he was in orbit. Resilience and a sense of teamwork combined to carry him through the experience. He reinforced how essential these skills are in real life. To illustrate the value of these experiences, he pulled from his extraordinary time on the International Space Station (ISS).
“It was really important to get involved with [the] guys because that’s where my journey started, you know, getting exposed to the great outdoors, meeting other people,” Peake stated.
Peake praised the amazing community vibe on display at the event. He personally congratulated local residents for their truly incredible achievements in raising more than £850,000 towards building the new scout center. After revealing the plaque that marks the new record-breaking event, he participated in a Q&A session with the scouts, sharing his unique experiences in space.
While on his six-month mission from 2015-2016, Peake became the first Briton to conduct a spacewalk. He got to try a wide range of meals in zero gravity such as bangers and mash and chicken curry. He painted a vivid picture of the seemingly mundane items that floated past him, such as batteries, pencils and scissors, while he spacewalked. His descriptions created an impressive image of extraterrestrial life.
All those skills that are so important in everybody’s life about how you get on with other people, how you build teams, how you communicate together, work together, make decisions… that’s what scouts do, Peake added, driving home the emotional impact scouting can have on a person.
Fleetwood Town Council member and representative of the Fifth Neighbours East Scout group Mark Schofield thanked Peake for upholding the commitment to attending the event. “We made an extra effort for Tim just because we’re so grateful for him to be here,” Schofield said.
As Peake reflected on his own scouting journey, he recalled that first aid was his initial scout badge and noted its practical benefits. “I think first aid was my first scout badge, and it’s been very useful,” he said.