The 25th Newsround Spring 2011 Issue 3

Did You Know

On 10 August 1929, at

the 3rd World Scout

Jamboree, the Chief

Scout Sir Robert Baden

Powell, on behalf of all

Scouts worldwide, was

presented with a Rolls

Royce motor car and a

caravan trailer. The car

was nicknamed Jam Roll

and the caravan Eccles.

It didn’t have the usual

mascot at the front

("Sprit of Ecstasy")

instead it had a specially

made Scout arrowhead

with the Scout motto

"Be Prepared" on it.

These gifts were paid

for by penny donations of

more than 1 million

Scouts worldwide. Jam

Roll was sold after BPs

death by Olave Baden

Powell in 1945. Jam Roll

and Eccles were reunited

at Gilwell for the 21st

World Scout Jamboree in

2007

Fundraising is progressing well

with the ideas proposed at

the Parents meetings coming

online: The first major one

being the ‘Sponsored

Walk’ (27TH March 2011)

which is set to raise aprox

£900.00. Very well done and

our thanks to everyone who

took part.

Also the collecting boxes at

H.Q. are raising a steady

stream of funds plus the ‘in-

house ca l endar ’ made

£267.00, our thanks to all

those who submitted photos

and to Di for putting it all

together.

Because the Group had not

finalised the purchase of the

Freehold by 31/03/2011, a

grant given for £3000.00 was

lost to the Freehold Fund,

but, the Grantee allowed the

Group to transfer the funds

and use them to re-furbish

the main hall at the H.Q.

(paint & re-carpet).

Negot iat ions are st i l l

proceeding with the Council,

but are very slow and we are

at the bottom of the list in

priority due to the decisions

being made due to the ‘cuts’

being implemented.

Good news with regard to the

rent situation, the Group will

be supported by Grant Aid up

to 31/03/2012: but we must

not let up on our fundraising

efforts.

John Hale

£3800

April 2010

£50,000

£25,163-00 Dec 2010

£22.863-00

April 2011

www.25thbirmingham1stbeechesscouts.btck.co.uk

Members of the Group

signing people in for the

2011 Walkathon

BRMB WALKATHON 2011

Taking a break

Freehold Fundraising Update

Fundraising and Social Events

100 Club Results

Recycling News Money Raised So Far

Scrap Metal £200

Rag approx £40

We nearly have a full box of cd’s/dvd’s this

should bring in £50

Please keep donating the above items

More Fundraising Loose Change Boxes £45 so far.

Draw for December 2011

1st (41) Mr R Adams

2nd (09) Mrs D Boole

3rd (53) Mr E Fitton

Draw for January 2011

1st (41 Mr R Adams

2nd (28) Mr J Hartshorn

3rd (27) Mrs D Hartshorn

Draw for February 2011

1st (53) Mr E Fitton

2nd (39) Mrs P Roberts

3rd (07) Mr B Birch

Draw for March 2011

1st (70) Mrs Phelps

2nd (50) Mrs L Neild

3rd (35) Mrs M Croghan

Draw for April 2011

1st (58) Mrs M Randall

2nd (45) Mr N Tonks

3rd (79) Mr D Tovey

Draw for May 2011

1st (46) Mr P Mulane

2nd (20) Mrs O Haddleton

3rd (26) Mr Street

A Letter from Bethany

Sponsored Walk

The total raised so far is £920.00 Well Done

to everyone who took part

Scouting Memories

MY FIRST CAMP

As a group of scouts, we had to meet our leader,

Ian Brown, beneath the famous clock in Snowhill

station on the Friday afternoon .We then caught

the steam train to Bewdley and changed to a

single diesel rail car to continue our journey

towards Cleobury Mortimer.

The rail line which was part of the Seven Valley

crossed the River Severn and entered the Wyre

forest. This line was closed and dug up in 1963.

The driver of the rail car was good enough to

drop us off at the gate to our camping field. We

climbed down onto the track and then entered the

field. We found our patrol tent in a little shed in

the trees, along with other equipment we may

need. This site was used regularly by another

Birmingham scout troop from Handsworth.

After erecting the tent we had our supper and

turned in for the night. The next morning we

were given some instruction in the use of a primus

stove by our leader, who had been joined by a

friend from St. Johns Rover Scouts. We then

cooked our breakfast (probably not very well).

After washing up and tidying up we went off to

explore. The field sloped down from the railway

to a water course known as Dowles Brook; on the

other side was the forest, which was where we

wanted to get to. This was achieved by tying two

ropes across the brook to use as a bridge. Once

across, we spent hours exploring and playing in

the forest. (A true wide game). We also strung a

rope from the top of the bank on one side to a

tree on the other side of the brook. This was

crossed by sliding across the rope on your

stomach. Guess who fell in?

At the end of the day we cooked our evening meal

and then sat round a camp fire telling stories till

bed time. On the Sunday we again played in the

forest and in the brook. (Kids love water). After a

lunch of sandwiches we took our tent down and

packed it away in the shed. We then picked up our

ex army rucksacks and walked along the rail

tracks to the station at Far Forest (which is still

in use as a private house). While waiting for the

rail car we used the waiting room mirror to tidy

our selves up and comb our hair, ready to join the

travelling public on the journey back home. What

a lot I had to tell my parents about my weekend

at camp. (Exciting times for a twelve year old

scout).

Derek Boole

Scout Leader Ian Brown

Scouts Derek Boole, Barry Whitehall, Bob Griffiths, Bob Hyden, Paddy Grogan

Scout Winter Camp

2011

Winter camp has been a long standing event in

our group.

It first started in 1971 with a weekend at

Kibblestone camp in Staffordshire, and has

run continuously ever since, with the

exception of 2007 when we were beaten by

the snow.

This years event was held in the grounds of

Patshull Hall, a grand house just west of

Wolverhampton. We actually stayed in what is

called the golf house, which was on the edge

of the estates own golf course (turned over

to farming during the second world war ).

We arrived on the Friday evening to a

deserted camp site and golf house. After

three telephone calls we finally contacted the

warden who came out and let us into the

premises.

After settling in, the scouts took part in

solving puzzles and quizzes until supper time

and bed. We awoke to pouring rain, but it had

stopped by the time we had finished

breakfast.

The days activities started with some

instruction in the use of axes and went on to

fire lighting, blowing lids off cans, cooking

sausages, swinging fire cans, collecting marsh

gas, and a blind trail.

After dinner we played charades in front of a

roaring fire in the so called lounge. Sunday

found us outside again launching rockets,

racing model rafts down the stream and

building model gardens until lunch time.

Then it was time to wash up, clean up, and

load up. Woggles were presented to the

winning patrol, we said goodbye to the deputy

warden and left for home.

The camp was summed up in one word by

Scout Callum Storer AMAZING.

Cub Scout

District Handicraft Challenge

Matthew Humber and Charlotte Kimmis took

part in the District Handicraft Challenge. The

theme for the activity was space, and i’m

pleased to say that all their hard work won

the competition. Well done both and well done

the 25th Cub pack.

Ross Lycett and

Aiden Croghan both

took part in the

D i s t r i c t C h e s s

Competition and both

played very well. They

went on to represent Tame Valley District in

the County Chess Competition. Well done to

you both.

Ann Heaven

Akela

Tame Valley

District Handicraft Challenge

A few weeks ago me and Matthew Humber

took part in the District Handicraft

Competition. It was great fun and the result

was brilliant.

So when the woman said the theme was space

we panicked a bit but the leaders were

allowed to help for 15 minutes. They helped us

construct a black base. The we were off, our

creativity sparkled.

Matthew made a rocket and craters while I

made an astronaut and a flag. We called the

rocket "SCOUT NASA USA". We dug around

in the box to find pom poms and eyes which

we made into aliens. It looked fantastic.

Every Cub taking part

sat on chairs, breath

taken, silent. The

judge who was smart,

announced it was our

pack and the smiles on

our faces went up to

our ears. What a great success.

By Cub Scout Charlotte Kimmis

From the Archives The Melting Pot

(The fore runner of the 25TH Newsround.)

In 1988 the Group held several events to

commemorate the Group’s Golden Jubilee, below is

a report of the Thanksgiving Service held on

Sunday 15TH May 1988.

The preparations for the big day, had been hectic

and very hard work. The invitations had been sent

out, the grass was cut, the H.Q. clean, the cakes

baked and a team of volunteer Guides were ready

to serve our Guests.

St. Matthews Church was full. Our uniforms were

being worn smartly and with pride. Our new Group

Flag was blessed by the Vicar and will represent

us for many years to come. The Lord Mayor and

Lady Mayoress honoured the Group with their

presence.

The County President, County Secretary, District

Commissioner and all our District Friends also

attended. The service was designed to say thank

you for the past fifty years of Scouting in Perry

Beeches and also to look forward to the next

fifty years. Members of the Group read the

lessons, led prayers and helped with the

organisation of the service. The Rev. Ray Price,

himself a long serving scout, gave an inspiring and

interesting address. We all enjoyed a good sing,

some moments of silence and thought and looked

forward to future activities, with hope and

expectation.

Outside, the weather was fine and sunny. The

Brookfield Scout Band was already to lead us and

our new flag around the Beeches Estate which

gives the Group its name. We arrived at the

Group’s H.Q. for refreshments and social

conversations with our guests.

Unfortunately the Lord Mayor was delayed on his

way to the H.Q. and was unable to stay for tea,

because of other commitments. We discovered

that our friend Ray Price, very much enjoyed

Fruit Cake. We thanked our hard working team of

Guides, our Guests and so to home, with a

memorable day to remember.

Extract from many of the events that occurred in

1988, if you have any memories you would like to

share with past and new members, please contact

Di at — dhartshorn117@blueyomder.co.uk

Scout Community Badge

It was the day, the day Edward and I went to

Blackwell to do our Community Badge. Skip picked

me up at 7.45am and we collected Edward around

8.00am. We arrived at Blackwell at about 8.45am.

We went into the workers hut and put our bags

down, Skip and the other workers had a cup of tea

and a little chat. When they finished we were

ready to start work.

We were given litter pickers so I think you can

guess what we were going to do. Yes, you were

right we had to pick up the rubbish from around

the campsite, but before we could start we had to

read the meter on the boiler in the house. We

learnt a bit of history in there. We wrote the

numbers from the boiler onto a piece of paper.

We then went around the campsite picking up

rubbish and making sure the activities were

alright. We found a few golf balls from the golf

course nearby. Skip had to fix the tyre on the

obstacle course because part of it had rusted.

While Skip did this Edward and I picked up pieces

of wood and metal left behind by the workers

building the new Low Ropes course. When we had

finished we put the wood onto the wood pile and

the rest of the rubbish in the bin. We then went

back to the hut to have our lunch.

After lunch we were told it was going to rain the

next day so we had to clear all the leaves out of

the drains. That took a really long time. Another

leader who helps at the campsite took us round to

the pedal carts, he told us we could have a go, so

Edward and I had a race—Edward won. After that

we went back to the low ropes course and was told

we were going to test it out. I felt so excited and

couldn't wait. They just had to cut a branch off a

tree then we were ready. They buckled us up and

gave us some instructions. Edward was first on

then me and then this other girl. It was amazing,

we were the first scouts on it. At the end there

was a zip wire so we went down that. I thought

they could have made it tighter but it was still

fun. It was an amazing day and we both enjoyed it.

It was then time for Skip to drove us home.

Callum Storer

Scout.

Really Useless Facts

The most commonly used letter in the alphabet is E

The least used letter in the alphabet is Q

'I am.' is the shortest complete sentence

The names of all continents both start and end with the same letter

An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain

Honey is the only natural food which never goes off

The Grand Canyon can hold around 900 trillion footballs

It's possible to lead a cow up stairs but not down

A duck can't walk without bobbing its head

A strawberry is the only fruit which seeds grow on the outside

An average person will spend 25 years asleep

Monopoly is the most played board game in the world

Tree hugging is forbidden in china

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

A piece of paper cannot be folded more than 7 times

The lifespan of a squirrel is 9 years

The word 'underground is the only word that begins and ends with the letters 'und'

Months that start on a Sunday will always have a Friday the 13th

The first city to reach 1 million was London

The most sung song is happy birthday

There is enough petrol in a full tank of a Jumbo Jet to drive the average car 4 times around

the world

You can buy square watermelons in Japan (developed to stack better in supermarkets)

The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick' is said to be the toughest tongue twister

The number 4 is the only number that has the same number of letters in it

Ants don’t like baby powder (talcum powder)

On the average there are 8 peas in a pod

There are 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 different color combinations possible on a Rubik's

Cube

Competition

1. What are the nicknames of BPs’ Rolls Royce and Caravan .

2. Where was the 3rd World Scout Jamboree held.

3. Where was the 21st World Scout Jamboree held.

Answers along with your name and contact details can be sent to

dhartshorn117@blueyonder.c.uk

Or

Handed in to a section leader on any meeting night.

There will be a small prize and the winner will be drawn at the

Group AGM

Can You Name These Stadiums 1. Everton—Goodison Park, Liverpool

2. Lords Cricket Ground

3. Liverpool Anfield

4. Manchester City

5. Tottenham White Hart Lane

6. Wembley Stadium

7. Wigan JJB Stadium

8. Newcastle St. James Park

9. Arsenal—Emerates Stadium

10. Sunderland—Stadium of Light

11. Man United—Old Trafford

12. Twickenham—England RFU

Answers

Dates for your Diary

21st May Table Top Sale: Trefoil House

22nd May Fun Day: Safe Harbour Pub

15th June Group AGM: Desford Avenue

12th July Group Bazaar

8th October Jumble Sale

Skip has been taking cooking lessons off Mrs Skip

Here they both are making mince pies for the

Group Carol Service.

Wanted Photographs for this years calendar.

This theme for this year is ‘Places in the UK.’ Email your photos to

dhartshorn117@blueyonder.co.uk Or hand in your photo to be scanned and returned.

Name, section and where the photo was taken need to be on the back of photo or on the email.

Photos to be handed in no later than first week back in September.

We have booked a table at Trefoil House to raise

money for the Group

Please come along to support us

To all Friends and Members

Do you receive this newsletter by post or via your

son/daughter. Can we send your newsletter by email

to help keep our costs down. If so could you please

forward your name and email address to:

dhartshorn117@blueyonder.co.uk

We need news articles for the next edition. Please hand them into any section leader, email them to dhartshorn117@blueyonder.co.uk

or send them to 117 Delhurst Road Great Barr B44 9UT