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The monthly newsletter of the 4th Worcester Park Scout Group October 2002Sections
Keith DalyGROUP SCOUT LEADERApologyCan I firstly apologise to all readers who receive the newsletter by E-mail for any problems you may have had downloading the last edition. The problem was inadvertently caused by the stored size of the photographs. In order to prevent this happening again the Group has opened a Website and will put the newsletter on it. Those normally receiving E-mailed copies will receive an E-mail when each newsletter has been posted on the website. The address of the website is www.4wp.org.uk. The website will also be used to advertise the Group and its events. CampsI am delighted to report that all three Cub Packs had very successful camps. Unfortunately I was unable to visit either Brownsea Pack or Charterhouse Park although I did attend Anglia Pack's camp at Youlbury. I am certain that all the boys who attended the camps had a very good time and enjoyed themselves. My thanks to all the Leaders and Helpers who supported the camps and gave the boys such a good time. Detailed reports are provided later in this newsletter. According to all reports it would appear the Venture Unit also had a very successful expedition to the Pyrenees. My thanks to Alan Avery for leading this expedition. HQ GroundsThe HQ grounds had become a little untidy over the past few years and during the summer a concentrated effort has been made to tidy it up. This started with the work morning in July when a lot of work was done near the front of the main HQ and work started on painting the side of the building. My thanks to all those who helped on this morning. Then the Fellowship spent three Wednesday mornings clearing the area behind the Fellowship den that had become a dumping ground. All the rubbish was also taken to the council tip. My thanks to all those members who helped with this dirty and heavy task. Finally a group of Venture Scouts led by Alan cleared a number of areas that had become overgrown with brambles. This included the areas near the front gate and behind the Unit's den. I saw them at work, the weather was very hot but they were sticking to their task. My thanks to them all. The next Group Work Morning is on Sunday 20th October at 10.00 am. Would all parents please try and come along and help continue the good work. Supervised children are welcome. Senior Residents PartyWe have some vacancies on the invite list for the annual party held in the hall for senior residents in the area of the HQ and other senior friends of the Group. If anybody knows of any senior citizen, neighbour, friend or relative that might appreciate an invite please give the details to any leader. We are particularly anxious to invite people who live on their own. ASPEN COLONYAnne Mays (MAYO) Carol Salter (HOLLY)Firstly, we would like to hope that everyone had a good summer break. We would also like to thank everyone who was involved in our Scouts' Own, whether taking part of making the tea afterwards. Our Scouts' Own, I am told, was very, very good and all the boys could be heard. They looked brilliant on the stage - I have taken some photos. After Scouts' Own, we had our Jubilee Beaver Scouts party, which was a great success, partly because the weather was good, partly because the helpers were brilliant. The Leaders were stars, but best of all were the two chefs, Graham Hutton and Dylan Tappenden and a big thank you to the parents. So all in all it was a great day - thank you everyone. The fete was also a great success this year - thank you to everyone who sold programmes at home and to those who came down to the fete and spent money and time to help make the day so good. Thanks also for the Lucky Dip items. We have said a sad farewell to Nicholas Hardie and Aaron Harding who have both joined Anglia pack. We wish them well and hope they continue through the Group - bearing in mind that Simon Hunt has now achieved his Queen Scout Award and is a top rugby player. He received his Award at our Scouts' Own. He was an Aspen Beaver and look at where he is now. You don't have to be clever - just work hard, do your best and stick at it - well done Simon! Tom Newman - our Scout starts a new school in September so he will not be able to come every week now - he will be sadly missed. He has worked so hard and we would all like to wish him well in his new school and to say thank you for all his help and hope to see him as often as possible. VACANCYA vacancy now exists for a top scout with patience and understanding, a good sense of humour and willingness to have fun - if you think you have any of these qualities, please apply to Aspen Colony. *********************************On our last meetings we were in the field doing treasure trails and competitions with clues around the field. We all had a good time as the meetings both finished with food - one with a BBQ and another with biscuits and drinks. Please ensure that you all have a copy of the new rota for parent help and if there is a problem with making the date allocated to you can you please please swap it with another parent - we must have at least THREE people. Our next big event is the Christmas Bazaar, so start sorting out your unwanted things - bottles of drink - designer dresses or anything else in good condition that we can use. The Beaver Scout section will probably run the tombola stall so any small items will be welcome - bottles of shampoo - soap, anything that will make a nice prize. Thank you in advance. A final note: if you have any subs owing please pay them as soon as possible. If you are unsure please check with us. Thank You. BIRCH COLONYAnne Richardson (MAPLE)No news item this month. CEDAR COLONYValerie Clarkson (CHIPMUNK)Welcome back, we hope that you all had a really good summer and are now ready for the busy lead up to Christmas - so soon I feel. Many thanks to all the many Cedar parents who came and helped at the summer fete. The sun shone, we all worked hard - many thanks and well done. The Friday before the fete we took the boys out to Nonsuch Park for a long walk and, yes, it rained but luckily we were in the woods at the time, Sorry we were so late but it was a long walk. Many thanks to Graham for driving the mini van. Our last meeting was 12th July. I think we had a party with lots of food. Many, many thanks to Sean Keanan's mother who organised this for us. A big gold star to her and Graham. We also held a Jubilee type party, with the other two Colonies, after the Scouts' Own. Lots of different things to do in the field with chips, burgers and hot dogs cooked by Graham Hutton and Dylan Tappenden - another gold star to these young men …… ANGLIA PACKBrenda Hunt (AKELA)ANGLIA CAMP - AUGUST 2002 - YOULBURYThe theme this year was Monster Story with two sixes, the One Eyed Monsters with Ashley Batten, Peter Caulder, Jack Martin and Louis Smith and the Three Eyed Monsters with Jonathan Caulder, Ryan Edgcock, Max Gawler, Connor Judson and Mitchell Kayne. Apart from Ryan and Mitchell, none of the cubs had ever camped before. We arrived at camp on Sunday afternoon and in the evening joined in the Site Camp Fire. On Monday we had a trip to the Natural History Museum in Oxford where the boys heard about how animals adapt to surroundings and were able to handle a fox, hedgehog and tawny owl (stuffed!) and were then able to wander around the museum looking at the dinosaurs and many other animals and insects. The afternoon was spent ice-skating and despite some falls, all the boys got the hang of it by the end of the session. The next day was spent on site and included compass work, tracking, building bivouacs and then a swim in the open-air pool - unlike previous years when we almost had to crack the ice, it was pleasantly luke warm. On Wednesday we spent the whole day at Warwick Castle. This included a medieval fair where the Rat Catcher, who put his 'rats' through various acrobatic feats, entertained us. There was also a demonstration of archery and a knight with his charger. If you have never been to Warwick Castle, it is well worth a visit. Thursday was another day on site, which included all the boys having a go on the climbing tower and later on the assault course. Peter was the quickest to go round the assault course with 52 seconds, following by Ashley. We had a very musical bunch of boys this time and as well as singing as they marched through Warwick Castle, they also devised a 'show', which they put on for the Leaders. This included songs and jokes and the veranda was used as the stage. All the boys took part and it was really good. In their enthusiasm, they also volunteered to sing several items at the camp sing song, which was put on, in the Barn on Friday night following a wet afternoon. On Friday, we visited the Scouting Museum at Youlbury and then went by minibus to Cotswold Country Park where we saw rhinos, llamas, giant tortoises, penguins and many more animals. Even the evenings were action packed and included bingo, beetle, a pyjama party - all with prizes, as well as Court, presided over by Judge Daly. Jack Martin came to Court accused of being a chocoholic and Louis Smith had cracked the ice with his face! The One Eyed Monsters won the Sports and Cub of the Camp was Max Gawler - well done Max! BROWNSEA PACKLes Prescott (KERICK) ACSLOur summer camp this year was held again at Plum Park, near Oxted. We had a very successful time with 11 boys camping from the Sunday through to Friday evening and the theme was the Jubilee. The sixes were named Windsor, Balmoral and Sandringham. The boys' first job on arrival was to pitch their tents, the leaders having pitched the rest of the camp on Saturday. In the afternoon the Cubs made badges for their six tents and they then learnt about cameras and the rudiments of taking pictures for their photographer badge. We then had a short Scouts' Own service. The site is managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust and on the Sunday evening their Countryside Ranger, Dave, guided the boys and leaders through the adjoining Staffhurst Wood in the dark and we were able to use night vision binoculars to see wild foxes. One of the highlights of the camp was the visit by the falconer from the Farnborough Hawking Company. The Falconer brought two owls, a kestrel, a hawk and a vulture which all flew and which the Cubs were able to handle (with strong leather gloves!) We also paid a visit to see the hounds of the Old Surrey and West Kent Hunt which was also very exciting. We saw the kennels and then saw 80 hounds being fed! We also saw some 5-week old puppies which the Cubs all handled - it was a delight. We also saw the horses and how they are kept and exercised. We had our annual visit to Tor Hatch at Shere to use the huge swimming pool in the back garden together with the trampoline and we also visited the Tandridge Leisure Pool at Oxted. We visited a neighbouring farm where we saw a donkey, quail and chickens, learnt about herbs and then had a demonstration of spinning. During the week the Cubs worked for their World Conservation badge. We visited a conservation area in the woods with the Ranger to find out about wildlife and woodland management from the volunteers working there. We went for a nature walk as well. During the week, the Cubs also worked for their camper and explorer badges which involved lighting fires and cooking tea, building bivouacs in the woods, pitching and striking tents and other camp-based activities. During the hot weather at the beginning of the week we had a water fight, another highlight, and we also had practice campfires to get ready for our final evening. Our young helpers - Chris, Michael and Daniel - organised many wide games in the cool of the woods which the Cubs thoroughly enjoyed. On Thursday afternoon we had a Jubilee Sports Day which included an obstacle course and "cocktail" bar and on Friday morning we went to Oxted to spend remaining pocket money returning to the campsite to take down the sleeping tents. Friday evening came all too soon, and we welcomed the parents to our campfire where we presented the winning six with their prizes. Cub of the Camp was Michael Cornish, while the Best Sixer was Asher Curran. 11 World Conservation badges were gained, 3 Explorer badges and 6 Camper badges My grateful thanks to Hazel for organising the camp and to all who helped in any way, in particular the leaders at camp: Bagheera (Sheila Kinton), Sally, Dawn, John, Eric and Margret. We had excellent help from our young leaders: Chris Washington, Michael Tomlin and Daniel Stevenson. Back in July, our programme was based outside and we played rounders in Cuddington Rec. while the field was being prepared for the fete. We ran the cake stall at the fete and my particular thanks to Mrs Dunne who looked after our stall with the help of Nathan, Alex and Harry. At the Scouts' Own we said goodbye to Clive Chasty who went up to Purple Troop and we welcomed William Jackson from the Beavers. As Brownsea Pack is 50 years old this year, we held a party for the Cubs and invited parents along at the end - we played games, cut the birthday cake and presented Hazel with a bouquet from the Pack to mark her last Pack meeting. Hazel will still be around from time to time to help, but for now, our very grateful thanks to her for all she has done in leading the Pack for the past eight years. She leaves the Pack in a very healthy state and we hope to carry on as usual with the current leader team until we can appoint a new Akela. CHARTERHOUSE PACKMargaret Pennington (AKELA)During our first pack meeting in July, we had the fire brigade visit. We were shown a film and then the boys had a chance to show their own knowledge on how to make sure their own homes were made as safe as possible from fire. Keith, our Group Scout Leader, came down for the next two Pack nights and taught the boys about 'the compass' - the second week a trail was laid out in the field. Those boys who followed directions carefully spelt their work properly (not many cheated). Thank you Keith, all the boys who completed their Map Readers badge at camp showed that you had taught them well. At the end of July, we all went to camp at Youlbury near Oxford. The boys slept in tents every night - we were very proud of them. One night the rain was so heavy that water got into one of the tents, the Cubs in that tent held on tight and didn't float away. During the week all boys completed their Map Readers badge and also worked towards either the Campers or Explorers badge. This included things like making a fire and cooking their own lunch, putting up a tent, taking a hike while following a map. Very hard work, but cheerfully carried out. On the Monday, we had a glorious day, which became so hot that we had ground sheet water slides before we went to the climbing tower. Two boys managed to climb the tower before we had a thunder storm, the lightning and torrential rain meant that no-one could go on the tower so we paddled through the mud back to our site (later in the week all the boys did successfully climb the tower). On Wednesday, we went to Henley (in heavy rain), fed the ducks (it was dry by then), had a go in the adventure playground (light drizzle stopped us), had our picnic in the bandstand (watching torrential rain), and then went putting (in glorious sunshine and wellie boots). Thursday was dry and a lovely day for following tracking signs around the whole site. Camp Sports was a serious business with each six vying hard for first place in each event - Daffy Duck six won overall. Friday, again good weather, was a good day for Inter six games. The spectators thoroughly enjoyed it and the boys played very hard. Bugs Bunny six were winners. Later on after the boys had spent all their money in the Provie, the assault course was assaulted. Each boy had the challenge of getting round quickly and safely. Then each six had to organise themselves to work as a team and get round the whole course. Needless to say they all rose to the occasion and managed good times. We had an excellent campfire on Friday night - a perfect ending to a very good week. The overall competition, which ran throughout the week, included such things as washing up, tidy tents, etc, etc was very closely fought, but finally won by Daffy Duck six. In addition to having to wash twice a day with soap and hot water, the Cubs went swimming in the pool on the camp site (even on the very rainy days, it was dry while everyone was in the water). My thanks as usual go to those wonderful people who give so freely of their time and expertise to ensure the boys enjoy their time at camp. Unfortunately, this year we cannot name them as this will appear on the website, but please remember we know who you are and are very, very grateful. PURPLE TROOPAlan Avery (SCOUT LEADER)We have covered healthy eating and menus at camp and had a wide game. Four lads attended the District Water weekend, which was very successful, and thanks go to 5th Worcester Park for looking after the lads as at the last minute, I couldn't make it. We again went Aqua lunging in Walton, made hot air balloons and squirty projectiles. We went on a cycle ride from Kingston to Richmond along the river when everyone tried to lose me! The P/Ls have met right through the holidays and we did a trip to Guernsey visiting the Island of Herm, go-karting, cliff jumping and partaking of the lovely beaches. We survived the 12 ½ hour ferry journey home! Do we go there for Summer Camp? SILVER TROOPKeith Daly/Paul Green/Jo Blackwell/Steph JonesNo news item this month. VENTURE SCOUT UNITAlan Avery (VENTURE SCOUT LEADER)We went rock climbing at Stone Farm and at the same time inspected the underside of a VW Beetle. We had a very successful report back evening for our trip to Austria and Italy and also an acknowledgement and gifts for Pat and Carl. Thanks to Hazel for overseeing the cooking and Phil Wicks for having such a high input in the running and organisation of the evening.
The main event was our Expedition to the Pyrenees and the French Aquitaine coastline. We did a 50-mile walk in the Pyrenees in various conditions camping at 2200 metres and climbing to 2700 metres above glaciers.
We moved on to the Aquitaine lakes for the therapeutic side of the trip and returned via the Cawley Cottage near St Omar and had a final meal. Overall a very successful trip - watch out for our report back evening. On return we spent a lot of time on the minibus repairing the roof rack, cleaning and touching in. We also spent a workday at the HQ doing a lot of clearing and burning up - well done Ben, Phil, Leigh and Richard. PARENTS & FRIENDSTerry GarlickJUMBLE SALES Sat 5th & Sat 12th October BOTH from 2.30pmPlease try and come along and join in the fun by helping us with the jumble sales. There is the setting up on the Friday nights and Saturday mornings and then of course selling Saturday afternoon. Any help would be warmly welcomed as the more helpers there are make lighter work for the few who help as well as more money is made for the group. I can promise you that you will make new friends for it's a bit of an experience if you have never done it before. If you cannot help then please come along for that bargain with admission at 30p and refreshments available it really is a cheap afternoons fun. IF YOU HAVE ANY JUMBLE TO GIVE!!!!!!! ……then we have ample storage space at HQ so please let us know at jumble(at)4wp.org.uk to arrange storage or just hand it to a Leader IMPORTANT NOTICE******* Your boys need you to support them ****** As recently highlighted at an Executive Meeting we are in desperate need of 1 or 2 parents from each Section on the P&F Committee for the current situation is not healthy for us to continue to exist. We do need and must have your help if we are to stay a healthy P&F Committee. To join or just to confirm that you will help then please e-mail p-and-f(at)4wp.org.uk or just come along to one of our monthly meetings to see what we do. Our informal meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 8pm with tea and biscuits provided. We would love to see you there. Next P&F meetings: 10th October at 8pm FELLOWSHIPGraham SmithAs we all now know, the Group Fete on the 6th July was a great success and members of the Fellowship played a prominent part in manning several of the stalls and giving assistance generally. Sunday 7th July saw many of us attending the Scouts' Own prepared on this occasion by the Beavers' Aspen Colony. This proved to be a very enjoyable half an hour. The BBQ arranged by the P&F as a 'thank you' to all those who had helped at the Summer Fete took place on Sunday 14th July and was well attended by many Fellowship members and, as all such Group events are, was extremely enjoyable. This had been preceded earlier in the day by a work morning and, with some Fellowship members present, several clearing up tasks were undertaken and completed. Our July meeting took the form of a BBQ at John and Bridget's home (as it has done over the last two years) and was extremely well attended, almost a 100% attendance in fact. Again this proved to be a most pleasurable social occasion on a lovely fine evening. Our grateful thanks go to John and Bridget for their hospitality and for allowing us into their home and garden - and to John for his sterling work with the BBQ-ing! There had been discussion during the previous month or two about clearing the area behind the Den of a lot of rubbish that had accumulated there over recent years. The table tennis players decided to take a lead in this operation and consequently at the end of the table tennis session on Wednesday 24th July gloves were donned and clearance took place. Even so, it was necessary for a second and third clearance session to complete the job and this took place on the following Wednesdays. Thanks to all who participated. Our August meeting took the form, for the third year running through the generosity of Peter Cornish, of an evening cruise on his boat from 'The Fox on the River' at Thames Ditton. All who attended were able to take one or two trips on the boat on what proved to be a fine and warm evening. Our grateful thanks were expressed to Peter for a most enjoyable time. By the time you read these notes you will all probably have paid your annual subscription to Alan. But if this should not be the case, please contact him so as to ensure your continued membership of the Fellowship, if that is your wish. Finally, anyone who ordered and received one of the latest purchase of Fellowship T-shirts or Polo shirts and has not yet paid for it please do so by contacting Alan. OUR INHERITANCERON KINTON (VICE PRESIDENT)
The photo shows the fete at our HQ in 1937!! The houses are those in Sandringham Road, the only trees then were half a dozen elms situated where the buildings are now. Access to the ground was in Donnington Road opposite Windsor Road. The Beverley Brook was an open stream running the length of the field, a concrete bridge had to be built so as to cross the Brook to get into the field. There was no way to get services into the main area because of the Brook so the present entrance was acquired with much complicated negotiation and expense. This entrance is shared with our neighbours with whom we have always had good relations, may this always continue. At the time the photo was taken, there was only a field, meetings took place at the school, since then due to the enthusiasm of Leaders, parents and friends over many years we now have superb facilities and equipment. The present generation of boys, Leaders, parents and friends have inherited a first class Headquarters. It is essential that the maintenance and care of our inheritance be kept at a standard to be proud of. It is our responsibility.
It is appreciated that today supporters of the Group have many commitments but Dave Sweetland cannot do everything himself regarding the buildings and ground or Brian Yearly the equipment. This is a Scout training establishment - this is the purpose for our existence. To enable this to occur at a high standard, financial support is essential, fortunately we have wonderful fundraisers and also enjoyable social events. Standards in Scouting start with ensuring that what Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts see around them where they meet, safety, cleanliness and tidiness are essential. A place for everything and everything in its place, from vehicles, rubbish, firebricks, pioneering poles, jumble, etc. Please do not dump - Steptoe's yard behind the Fellowship den is not the council tip! Would the members of JJB Dutch Scout Group be happy with the state of the Apeldoorn? Is the campfire circle of a standard one would expect of a Group of our calibre? Please, parents and friends, support the appeals of the Group Scout Leader and the Group Chairman so that we have a HQ to be proud of. All that is done by parents and friends is really appreciated, but the future is in the hands of today's parents and friends. The Beaver, Cub and Scout of today is tomorrow's man. Ensure that he matures in a happy, safe, clean and tidy environment.
This page was last updated on 22 May 2003 |
