Bishops Stortford and District Scouts Newsletter - September 2010

Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter September 2010

1

www.bishopsstortfordscouts.org.uk Join the adventure

Welcome Back! I hope you all had a great summer and a big thank

you for all the hard work that went into the

numerous Camps that went ahead around the

District over the summer months. I know there are

even more planned……

Congratulations

National Awards

Sam Payne Award for Merit

Sue Bibby Award for Merit

Pat Neville Honorary Scouter

District Beaver Team

Hazel Mead has now stepped down as Assistant

District Commissioner (ADC) Beavers. She has

been a hugely important and hardworking part of

the District team and has helped expand out

Beaver numbers from 97 in 2001 to 208 in number

now! A massive achievement. So – a big thank

you to Hazel for all her efforts over the years in

this role and her support to all the Beaver Leaders

– both new and experienced.

However life does go on and I am pleased to

announce the new District Beaver team ably led by

Wendy Claxton (ADC) with her 2 new team

members – Jackie Williamson (District Beaver

Leader) & Debbie Rawding (Assistant District

Beaver Leader) – a thank you to you all for

accepting this challenge!

Long Service Awards

John Ireland

50 Years

Jeanette Atfield

30 Years

Stuart Jacobs 30 Years

Chris Atfield

25 Years

Gary Swift 20 Years

Sue Byford 20 Years

Sue Bibby 15 Years

Martin Knowles 10 Years

Maureen Hargrave 10 Years

Wood Badges

Wendy

Hollingsworth Cub Scout Leader –

1st

Sawbridgeworth

Lesley Calder Assistant Scout Leader –

1st

Bishop’s Stortford & Hockerill

Stuart Jacobs Group Scout Leader –

1st

Thorley

Peter Tearse Assistant Cub Scout Leader –

1st Michael’s Mead

Ian Le Grove Group Scout Leader -

1st

St. Michael’s Mead

A big congratulations to you all – your dedication and

commitment is really appreciated

I’d also like to thank the TAs that have helped support

you in achieving your wood badges – Greg Stewart, John

Henson, Sue Byford & Emily Stewart



2


District Development Day 9th October

Time: 9.45am for a 10am start

finishing at 3pm

Venue: St. Mary’s School, Windhill, BS

BBQ Lunch & Refreshments will be provided

foc

All Leaders, Assistant Leaders, Unit

Assistants, Occasional Helpers, Exec.

Members and Parents are invited to attend

Each of these bases will be run by some of the most

experienced Leaders in the District and the content is

based on Leaders’ feedback over the last few months.

There will be the opportunity to choose which bases

you wish to sign up for – you will be able to attend 3

or 4.

Please confirm your attendance to help us plan the

day (incl. catering!) as follows:-

Beavers – Wendy Claxton

([email protected] )

Cubs – Ken Gordon

([email protected])

Scouts – Max Streets

([email protected])

Explorers – Nigel Reed ([email protected])

Programme

There will be 8 Bases run on the day:-

1. Pioneering plus knots and lashings(Basic and

more advanced sessions)

2. Tent Pitching

3. Map Reading/ Orienteering/ GeoCaching

4. Lamps & Stoves/ Outdoor Cooking

5. Craft Ideas

6. Challenging Behaviour/ Child Protection/ In

Touch

7. Planning a Balanced Programme

8. Nights’ Away Permit/ Activity Authorisations



3


District Awards for 2011

There have been some changes to the Award

categories for next year.

The aim is to encourage and recognise our young

people and our Leaders throughout the District. The

award categories will be as follows:-

1. Overall Group Growth

2. New Sections

3. Beaver of the Year

4. Cub Scout of the Year

5. Scout of the Year

6. Explorer of the Year

7. Young Leader

8. Interesting Programme

9. Leader of the Year

10. Team of the Year

11. Non Uniformed Leader

12. Challenging Weekend Away

13. Best Inter Group Activity

14. DC Award

These categories have been agreed with the input

from a number of GSLs and Leaders from around the

District.

Although we won’t be asking for nominations until

early 2011, it would be great if you could start

thinking about who you might like to nominate and

why.

New Website Our website has been re-designed, please take the

time to have a look. Feedback welcomed, especially

ideas for content. Also included are some discussion

forums please have a look and register with an email

address to take part.

www.bishopsstortfordscouts.org.uk

Welcome

I would like to welcome some new Leaders to the

District and to acknowledge those that have agreed

to take on new responsibilities:

Jenni White ABSL 1st BS & Hockerill

Steve Edwards ASL Silver Leys

John Hills ABSL 1st

Much Hadham

Jackie Jones AESL District

Lyn Bashford Unit

Assistant District

Keith Lambert ASL 1st

BS & Hockerill

Jilly Campbell AESL District

Drew Eves AESL District

Adrian Gale ACSL St. Michael’s Mead

Hilary

McSweeney

ACSL 10th

BS

Mile King ESL District

Catherine

Ndimukum

ABSL St. Michael’s Mead 30 Years

Darren Stock ACSL Silver Leys 25 Years

10 Years

District Team

The District Team are here to support you all as

Leaders whether you are new to Scouting or more

experienced Leaders.

A contact list is included this time so you will know

who to contact if you have any queries, frustration or

just need some help in your particular Group or

Section.

Please do ask for help if and when you need it! That’s

what we’re here for!

Fiona

District Commissioner



4


Remembrance Sunday Remembrance Sunday falls on the 14

th November this

year and there will be parades in Much Hadham,

Sawbridgeworth & Bishop’s Stortford. I believe one

Section is intending to take their youngsters to the

Cenotaph in London.

This is an important occasion – the older generation

in particular really appreciates the respect shown by

our young people. It will be great to have a big

turnout at all 3 war memorials. Details can be

obtained, as follows:-

Much Hadham – Dave Rouse 07774 854515

Sawbridgeworth – David Mead 01279 724503

Bishop’s Stortford – Max Streets 01279 653584

Donations Please

5 very nice retro green handled glass tankards with

scout emblem and dated 1909 - 1969" plus Bishop's

Stortford and District.

Offers - proceeds to go to the District Charities

District Team

Fiona Bishop District Commisioner

John Henson Deputy District Commisioner

Wendy Claxton Assistant District Commisioner

Beavers

Ken Gordon Assistant District Commisioner

Cubs

Max Streets Assistant District Commisioner

Scouts

Nigel Reed District Explorer Scout

Commisioner

Alexander

Ratcliffe

District Network Chairman

Tim Payne Nights Away Advisor – Scouts

Sue Byford Nights Away Advisor – Cubs

Kate Reed District Appointments Secretary

Veronica

Dewey

Local Training Manager

Geoff Markwell District Chairman

Pat Markwell District Secretary

Ray Jones District Treasurer

Mike Thorpe Appointments Committee

Chairman

Scout Shop Specials

Books available from the District Scout Shop

Beaver Scout Games £6.00

Cub Scout Games £6.00

Scout Games £6.00

Scouting Skills £9.99

Scout Handbook £8.00

175 Best Camp Games £10.00

Mac King’s Campfire

Magic

£6.95

Nights Away 2010 Guide £8.50

Young Leaders

Essentials

£8.00

History of Scouting £10.00

Also available a new selection of Trophies!



5


Dates for your diary….

September October

Contact Contact

13 District Scout Meeting Max Streets 4 Appointments Advisory Committee Mike

Thorpe

16 Getting Started Veronica

Dewey 9

District Development Day

10am – 3pm

Fiona

Bishop

22 District Cub Meeting Ken Gordon 14 Getting Started Veronica

Dewey

22 GSL Meeting Fiona Bishop 15/17 Peak Assault Nigel Reed

21 District Team Meeting Fiona

Bishop

November December Contact Contact

1 Appointments Advisory Committee Mike Thorpe 2 District Executive Committee Geoff Markwell

6 First Aid Training Julie Thorpe 4

Waitrose – Scouts/ Explorers

Packing

13 District Beavers’ Torch & Wellie Wendy

Claxton 6 District Explorers’ Dinner Nigel Reed

14 Remembrance Day Parades

BS, Sawbo &

Much

Hadham

6 District Cub Carol Service Ken Gordon

20/21 Green Beret Challenge County 13 Adult Appointment

Committee Mike Thorpe

13

District Scout Leaders’

Meeting Max Streets

Training Dates

County Training:

Modules 11,12,17,19

6th

November

(Administration, Activities Outdoor, International,

Balanced Programme)

Modules 5,7,8,9

27th

November

(Leadership, Valuing Diversity, Working with Adults,

Values of Scouting?

Modules 13,14,15,18

28th

November

(Young People Today, Challenging Behaviour,

Growing the Movement, Practical Skills)

For full County Training Calendar and to book go to:

www.Hertfordshirescouts.org.uk



6


Leader Events – Kim Henson

In June we had a first leader weekend away at

Orchard Farm – Hertfordshire Scouts Activity Centre

in the Peak District. The weekend was attended by

28 leaders from across the District, and all had a great

time – both taking part in activities as well as

socialising and getting to know each other. Thanks to

you all, and especially Ben Balaam for catering for us

so well.

Following this success we have now booked Orchard

Farm for a weekend in 2011 over the weekend of xx

June to yy June, please put the dates in your diary

now. I will send out more details early next year so

that we can start planning.

If you would like us to run further events for Leaders

and Adult Helpers across the District please let me

know and I will try and organise them.

Basic Hill Walking for Leaders

Fancy Hill Walking – never been or want to refresh

some skills. The Herts Scouts Mountaineering Section

are running a weekend at Coetmor Mill in Snowdonia

(for any that don’t know this is another of Herts

Scouts fantastic activity centres, and is a converted

water mill just outside Bethesday in Snowdonia) from

the 1st

– 3rd

October (travel up Friday evening and

returning Sunday evening). No experience necessary,

please contact either John or myself and we will give

you further details. Cost will be no more than £45 for

the weekend. Travel is likely to be by minibus from

Hertfordshire.

Climbing

Shortly – final dates to be advised, we will be hiring

sole use of Harlow Climbing wall for an evening, so if

you are a budding rock star or have never had a go

and fancy trying it without the pressure of your

Scouts etc, then watch this space for dates. All

equipment will be provided.

Kim Henson

[email protected]



7


Beaver Update – Wendy Claxton

Torch & Welly Walk

This year the District Beaver Torch & Welly walk be

on Saturday 13th

November starting at 1st

BS &

Hockerill Scout Hut, walking in Birchanger Woods and

finishing with a Sausage Sizzle.

New Beaver Colony

Congratulations to 1st

Thorley, Maureen Hargrave and

her team in opening a 2nd

Beaver Colony – Drake

District Beaver Sleepover – 2011

Celebrating 25 Years of Beavers

Friday Night – 3rd

June 2011

Gilwell

Arrival after 6.30pm on Friday 3rd

Departure 4pm Saturday

Full details to follow

Please put this date in your diaries now as this will be

a very special event for all Beavers in the District

Wendy Claxton

ADC Beavers

Cubs Update – Ken Gordon

I am pleased to see everyone has been keeping active

over the summer with a lot of camps. The weather

was kind at first but rather wet for some later.

I enjoyed a pleasant Cub camp with 10th at Skreens

Park and it was good to see the Cubs (and the

parents) getting stuck into the activities. Saxon were

also at Skreens that weekend and it was good to see

the Cubs mingle and chat.

1st

St Michaels Mead Cubs enjoyed a visit from Wood

Green Animal Shelter and the Cubs were taught

about looking after pets, how to approach dogs and

even had to find the id chip in the toy dog. Later they

made some feeders for wild animals. If you would like

to arrange a visit (suggested donation £40) contact

the Education Assistant - Emma Hudgell, T. 0844 248

8181 ext. 1249.

We have had the pleasure in giving out some Cub

Scout Silver awards this summer, so congratulations

to:

Ben Walton 1st Thorley (Saxon)

Amy Allport 1st Bishops Stortford and

Hockerill (Comanche)

Henry Proudfoot 1st Much Hadham (Wolves)

James Dowse 1st Much Hadham (Wolves)

The Cubs Christmas Carol Service is being held on

Monday 6th December at 6pm, Water Lane URC. I

hope to see all of you (and your Cubs!) there.

Ken Gordon



8


Scouts Update – Max Streets Summer Events Silver Leys Troop went to France for a long weekend,

taking in various historical sites of interest, all went

smoothly after an initial troublesome entry in to their

hotel.

1st Bishops Stortford and Hockerill Troops went to

Lochgoilehead for an activity filled week on the loch

and the surrounding hills.

1st

Sawbridgeworth Troops took advantage of the

Brownsea Island experience camp which was very

satisfactory being back to where it all began.

1st

Thorley Adventurer went to Beaudesert site on

Cannock Chase and had a good week’s activities and

camping experience.

1st

Thorley Buccaneer went to Buddens Camp site

near Wareham, Dorset, with a walk along the SW

peninsular coastal path, visits to Brownsea Island,

Monkey World and Bovington Tank Museum. Plus on

site activities of rifle shooting, climbing wall ,rafting

and pioneering.

1st

St Michael Mead troop followed them two weeks

later to Buddens, carrying out similar activities ,

walking between Kimmeridge Bay and Durdle Door

near Lulworth Cove .In addition, a day’s mountain

biking and archery.

Dorset is beautiful even when the mist and low cloud

comes down when you are walking the coastal path

amongst the Army firing ranges.

As the Dorset Ballard goes:-

Dorset is beautiful, where ever you go,

And the rain in the Summertime makes the wurzel

bush grow

It’s great to sit amongst the thunder and the hail

With your true love on an emmit’s tump

And hear the sweet nightingale!

From all the reports that I have received, you have

had some wonderful summer camps despite the wet

weather during August. The Scouts, I know have

gained tremendously from these experiences, and it

is a credit to you all for giving them such good and

well planned opportunities to extend their talents

and abilities.

Forth coming events

Section Leaders Meeting 13th September at Silver

Leys

PL & APL Training weekend 1st – 3rd October at Bury

St Edmunds. Gary Swift is the main contact for this

event. Please ensure you have provided names of

those you wish to attend by 13th Sept.

Remembrance Parade Sun 14th November. Further

details will be out shortly.



9


Explorer Scouts – Nigel Reed

Explorers have been busy again in our district this

summer and here are some brief reports of what’s

been going on: -

Conquest ESU

10 Explorer’s and 3 leaders went to Thriftwood

Campsite at Brentwood for summer camp.

The activity’s started Saturday morning on the inflate

a bull which was much like the rodeo bull but it uses

explorer power rather than electric, that was

followed by fishing at the onsite fishing lake many

having a go for the first time. Saturday afternoon and

evening it rained a lot and most were in bed by 10pm.

Sunday had us on the water activity lake for some

canoeing most taking an early bath in the lake during

the fun and games. This was followed by more

fishing. There was a little more rain during the

afternoon but it cleared quite quickly.

We woke to a very bright start on Monday morning

and managed to get all the tents down dry. Once we

were packed we headed over to the water activity

lake to have a go at water zorbing. Everyone had a go

and there was a lot of laughter.

Tracey

Endeavour ESU

For the second year running we had a joint with the

2nd Much Hadham Scout Troop at Thriftwood

Campsite, Brentwood. We were able to take nearly

20 Scouts and Explorers to camp with their carers and

spend a weekend away from the school. We took

part in many of the activities on the campsite which

our Scouts and Explorers don’t get normally have the

opportunity to do.

My thanks goes to my leader team of Su and Anna for

helping organise this camp and also to Alex who helps

make this possible but a special thank you must go to

all the carers who give up their weekend off to help

take all the scouts and explorers to camp.

William



10


Magellan ESU

The Unit had it’s first meeting back in June and is

currently small but perfectly formed, with just 10

members at this stage, although it is pleasing that 2

of these members are brand new to Scouting.

These numbers will rise though through this year as

we take on more young people moving up from

Scouts at Christmas. I hope that by this time next year

membership will be at least 20.

When the unit started we wanted to start with a bang

and therefore organised a number of exciting

activities, including Karting, Mountain Boarding (I

have the scars to prove it too!) and a hike to Priory

Wood followed by cooking on the light weight stoves.

The plan for this half term is to start to build a

programme that provides the opportunity to work

towards badges and this will include some first aid

training, photography and service activities. We are

also planning to film a ‘promo video’ for the unit that

can be shown scout troops to encourage Scouts to

move up to Explorers.

The leadership team are keen to involve the Explorers

in planning programmes and so as we move forward

they will have a greater say in what we do and

hopefully will also run some meetings themselves

under our guidance.

So far it has been a positive start and I am grateful to

Nigel for his support and guidance and also to Simon

for his help in identifying leaders, 2 of whom are from

a non-scouting background.

Mike

Voyager ESU

For our summer camp this year Voyager Explorer

Scouts spent a week in the Lake District at Great

Tower Activity Centre, close to Lake Windermere.

The week started off with a day of activities around

Great Tower campsite, where the Explorers

demonstrated their love of quasar and face painting,

amongst many other activities.

A couple of days during the week were based on the

water where we canoed and kayaked on Windermere

and sailed on Coniston Water.

We also tried wind-surfing for the first time, which

was quite difficult to start with, but everyone

managed to get going by the end of the session.

Back on land we spent a day hiking up Helvellyn (the

3rd highest mountain in England) going up by the

classic and impressive Striding Edge route.

This was an excellent day, and gave all the Explorers a

real sense of achievement.

The Explorers also went rock climbing and mountain

biking, and unusually there was no damage done to

either Explorers or bikes.

Finally we finished off the week by going “ghyll

scrambling”. This basically involves scrambling up a

fairly fast moving stream (ghyll), and then finding

pools of water to jump into or slide into from heights

ranging from ‘not very high’ to ‘very high’ – and the

water is pretty cold, even when wearing a wet suit

etc. As you can imagine the Explorers (and their

Leaders) totally loved it!

We all had a very enjoyable week full of adventurous

activities, and all within the fantastic and beautiful

setting of the Lake District.

Many thanks to Nigel, Marijke, Luke, Zander, Emma

and Simon for helping make it possible.

Chris



11


Explorer Activities

What we have planned as a district for the rest of the year is : -

September 19 Sunday Water activity day at ESSA (Cost £15)

September 28 Tuesday Magistrates in the Community in East Herts.

October 6 Wednesday Roller City Welwyn Garden City (Cost £7.50)

October 15-17 Fri – Sun Hertfordshire Peak Assault

November 7 Sunday Mountain biking Thetford Forest (Cost £30)

November 19-21 Fri-Sun Green Beret Competition – run day and night base

December 6 Monday Explorer County Xmas Dinner

Nigel Reed

District Explorer Scout Commissioner



12


Scout Network –

Alexander Ratcliffe

Over the Summer months the Scout Network in

Bishop’s Stortford has been even more busy than

usual, especially as many members are currently

home from University and still wanting to get

involved in Scouting!

On the 24th July several of our members

accompanied the Voyager Explorer Unit on their

annual Summer Camp. This involved a week at the

Great Tower Campsite at Lake Windermere. Network

members played a vital role assisting Explorer leaders

Nigel Reed and Chris Boughton run another enjoyable

and fulfilling camp. The Explorers enjoyed activities

such as rock-climbing, walking, bike-riding, wind-

surfing, kayaking, canoeing, ghyll-scrambling and

much more.

Only 12 hours after returning from camp (no time to

wash anything!), Network members Emma Moverley,

Luke Bibbey, Luke Kittridge and Alexander Ratcliffe

travelled to Scotland in order to undertake their

Queen Scout Expedition. They hired two open-topped

canoes and successfully navigated the Caledonian

Canal over the course of five days. For the uninitiated,

the Caledonian Canal is a 100km waterway that

stretches from the West coast of Scotland in Corpach,

to the East coast at Inverness. It comprises a blend of

man-made navigable canals and natural lochs - the

most infamous leg of the journey being the 39km-

long Loch Ness! Unfortunately no monsters were

spotted. The expedition involved careful planning,

physical and mental endurance and a great deal of

fun being had by all. Many congratulations to those

involved.

The following week Network members went on their

own Summer Camp. This year we stayed at the Mike

Thurston Activity Centre near North Walsham,

Norfolk. Despite unusually high winds (and lost tent

pegs!) we all had an excellent time with activities like

kayaking, cricket on the beach and incredible fish and

chips in Sheringham!

On September 4th the Network held a BBQ evening

at Priory Wood campsite. This meant open fires,

brilliantly-cooked food and – sadly – seeing some of

our members for the last time before they return to

university for another semester.

In addition to all of this, the Network continues to

meet every other Monday evening at the Harvest

Moon Pub, Thorley. You can find more details of the

next meeting by searching for our Facebook group

(“The Bishop’s Stortford & District Network Scout

Unit”), or by emailing Chairman Alexander Ratcliffe

on [email protected] .

On October 2nd the Network will be pleased to see

three of its members (Simon Reed, Lucy Reed &

Alexander Ratcliffe) receiving their Queen Scout

Awards at the presentation ceremony at the London

Science Museum. In addition, following the recent

expedition we also hope to see several more of these

awards presented in the near future.

In the coming months the Network will continue to

meet regularly, but we are also eagerly anticipating

our annual bonfire/fireworks evening in November

and Christmas meal! If you or anybody you know are

involved in Scouting and aged between 18-25, please

get in touch with us and find out more about what

you can achieve in the Scout Network.



13


Sponsors

Nomad have kindly sponsored Scouting in Bishop’s

Stortford & District.

They are offering a 15% discount to all youngsters in

Scouting and their families

District Swimming

Remember you can take advantage of the FREE

District run swimming session term time on a Tuesday

Night ( at Bishop’s Stortford College pool)

8.15 – 9.30pm

All youngsters are welcome – Beavers, Cubs & Scouts.

Please ensure they are wearing their scarves and

woggles –

Swimming resumes 14th

September

Full information can be obtained from Geoff

Markwell on 01279 655366.

District Camping and general Equipment

Please contact

Geoff Markwell 01279 655366.

District Communications and Promotional

equipment

Available to borrow from John Henson (Tel. 01279

507886)

[email protected]

- Professional Displays

- Laptop

- Projector

- Sound System

District Scout Shop

Open Wednesdays term time 7.00pm – 8.30pm.

Closed 15th

December

If in doubt ring Reg Jacobs 01279 653806

Important Note – Please encourage your Leaders to

buy uniforms etc. via the Scout Shop – all profits are

ploughed back into the District!

If you buy online exchanges will also have to be made

online! If bought via Reg, he will be happy to

exchange!



14


Queen’s Scout Awards Gala Dinner

A massive congratulations go to our 3 winners of the

prestigious Queen’s Scout Award:-

Alexander Ratcliffe

Lucy Reed

Simon Reed

It is a long time since the District has had any winners

of this award.

They will receive their awards at a National Reception

on the 2nd

October at the Science Museum and will

also be invited to attend the Windsor St. George’s

Day parade in 2011.

This is an awesome achievement and one that we

should all be very proud of.

A great social opportunity to come and meet Leaders

from around the District

Pearse House

27th

November

8pm

£/ head

Tickets still available - please contact Max ASAP to

reserve tickets

Contact Max Streets – 01279 653584

[email protected]

Bishops Stortford and District Scouts Newsletter - September 2010

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Transcript of Bishops Stortford and District Scouts Newsletter - September 2010