Taddington dad takes on month-long garden camp raising money for Scouts

Mike Bagnall, 37, took on the eccentric feat after seeing how online challenges set by 1st Chatsworth had helped give his daughter Grace some ‘normality’ during the pandemic.

He told how working towards badge awards had helped the nine-year-old ‘make sense’ of the unprecedented situation.

Under Government guidelines residential and international trips involving multiple households are only allowed when a location is at the ‘green readiness level’.

Most of England is currently at the amber level - meaning group sessions comprising a maximum of 15 can take place outdoors.

However before reopening 1st Chatsworth’s club hut - located in woodland on the Chatsworth estate - needs alterations to meet Covid-19 safety guidelines.

The structure will need new flooring and kitchen facilities - making it easier to clean.

During the challenge Mike - who works in the pharmaceutical industry and has been spending 24 hours a day in a teepee tent - divides his time between conference calls with company vice presidents and working towards scouting badges.

Intrepid pop Mike is chipping away at his knot tying, master at arms, farming, emergency aid, survival skills and outdoor awards.

The pharmaceutical operations director - working with other companies to organise mass production of the Covid-19 vaccine - told how he had completed two knots out of six for the coveted knot tying badge.

Though he admitted soggy weather and 50mph winds had taken their toll during the first few days the ‘occasional visit’ from wife Amy and daughter Grace were keeping him going.

He said: “It’s going alright and I’ve enjoyed doing the badges.

“I was never a cub or scout when I was young but I’ve seen how much Grace has grown through it.

“The team have been superb doing online stuff and special badge challenges - adapting to help kids make sense of what’s going on right now.

“It’s a bit of normality for them - and they crave that normality.

“It’s been such a rubbish year - so many residentials and other events have been cancelled - so we want to make sure when Chatsworth start up again they can come back with a bang and give the kids something to get excited about.”

Mike, who only sets foot inside his house to use the toilet, described his ‘July under the sky’ adventure as a ‘mix of stuff that you would normally do and challenges that have been thrown at me’.

He said: “You crave a bit of company but my wife comes to see me occasionally as does Grace.

“I must admit I’ve got into a bit of a natural rhythm - I’m woken by the birds every morning at 5.30am and the only thing I can hear is nature so it’s quite relaxing.”

Nature-loving Mike will finish his month under canvas on July 31 - his and Amy’s first wedding anniversary.

You can follow his exploits and donate to the July Under The Sky challenge HERE.

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