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The monthly newsletter of the 4th Worcester Park Scout Group April 2003Sections
Keith DalyGROUP SCOUT LEADERBaden-Powell SupperEvery year the Leaders and Members of the Group Fellowship sit down to a supper held in memory of our founder Robert Baden-Powell. This year the dinner was prepared, cooked and served by four boys from Silver Troop. The meal was excellent, the service very good and the whole evening was very enjoyable. Congratulations to Sam Hanson, Philip Crisp, Mark Whiteley and Ben Oxley. They were a credit to themselves, their parents and their leaders. My thanks also to Neil Oxley and Ray Crisp who supervised the boys, the cooking and the serving. CongratulationsCongratulations to Steven Marston and Chris Stocker on gaining their Queen Scout award. Promise RenewalThis years District Promise Renewal event will take place on 6th April at Orchard Hill. All boys are expected to attend. Full details will be issued by section leaders. 70th Anniversary DinnerA number of places are available for the Group's 70th Anniversary Dinner on 19th July 2003. The event is to be held at the Restaurant in the Park in Morden Park and tickets are £20. There will be a disco after dinner for the more energetic but there will also be facilities for those who just want to sit and chat. Tickets are being issued on a first come basis so if any reader would like tickets please contact me as soon as possible. The easiest way is via E-Mail on gsl(at)4wp.org.uk. 70th Anniversary Fun DayThe fun day for the boys will be held on Sunday 13th July from 11.00 to 18.00. The event will start with a Scouts' Own followed by a number of organised activities for all ages run by the sections. Lunch will be provided. There will be no charge for the boys but they will need to reserve a place. Forms will be issued by Leaders over the next month. ASPEN COLONYAnne Mays (MAYO) Carol Salter (HOLLY)Firstly, could we please ask parents if they have received letters from us regarding forthcoming events. If you have not please let us know and we will give you another copy. This month we have learnt how magnets work and how torches work; this will be part of our Experiment Badge. We have made some collages from felt and put them on our notice board. Tom and Philip organised some games for us. In the middle of this we have had half term, which unfortunately fell on two different weeks. We have issued another badge and some of the boys have now received their Year Badge. In the new programme, which is now well under way, the boys have been able to earn badges for work they have done and events they attended, but we don't want to take away the fun, so we are going to organise a couple of outings and have a laugh. BIRCH COLONYAnne Richardson (MAPLE)No news item this month. CEDAR COLONYValerie Clarkson (CHIPMUNK)In the last few weeks we've made dough Beavers that were baked and painted an array of colours - not necessarily brown!! And definitely not edible! However on another Friday we made pigs and mice and spiders and snowmen out of marshmallows, icing and sweets. They all turned out brilliantly and were most definitely edible. We've also finished off some badge work and played some games. Another week we made some mazes from string and paper plates with Malteser balls. They also turned out amazingly well - we must be on a roll. Many thanks to Elliott's dad for helping out with the fathers' part of the Discovery Badge and to Jamie Overall's mother who almost always stays to help. ANGLIA PACKBrenda Hunt (AKELA)No news item this month. BROWNSEA PACKLes Prescott (KERICK)As a link into the District Cub Scout Chess Competition, we ran a board games evening and the Cubs tried out several different games, including chess. From the mini-chess competition, Jack Stevenson and Robert White represented us at the District Competition - well done boys. Progressing through our new training programme, we thought we'd try a "musical" evening. We made drums, maracas, bottle bells (water-filled glass bottles) and comb-and-paper kazoos. To the accompaniment of the piano, the effect was, how should we put it, experimental! On Baden-Powell's 146th birthday, we had a meeting devoted to learning about our Founder with games used by him at the first experimental Scout Camp at Brownsea Island in 1907. We currently have three Cubs undertaking link training with the Scout Troops - Asher Curran, Robert White and Chris Cuthbert. Reminders: Sunday 30th March at 11.00am Scouts' Own at HQ, organised by our Pack Saturday 10th May / Sunday 11th May Weekend training camp Sunday 27th July to Friday 1st August Summer Camp CHARTERHOUSE PACKMargaret Pennington (AKELA)After another excellent turn out for Scouts' Own, we all put our minds and skills to work under Rama's guidance to put together a Bring & Buy Sale for the Shooting Star Children's Hospice Appeal. All the boys enthusiastically sorted our their own sideshows: what to do, how to do it, how much to charge, what the prizes would be, etc. They also made very beguiling posters to persuade people to come along to spend their money. On the night of the Sale there was a marvellous atmosphere, everyone was putting all their efforts into ensuring a successful event. Sideshows included; Card 24 and Scrabble run by Blue Six; Play your Cards Right and Marble Game run by Red Six; Roll a Penny and the Nail Game run by White Six; Putting and Ball in the Box run by Yellow Six. These along with the cake stall and teas run by our wonderful and supportive parents; the raffle under Fred's guidance; the Lucky Dip keeping Brenda busy; Guess the Number of Sweets and the Bric a Brac run by Purple Troop; the rest of us doing odd jobs and all overseen by Rama, who encouraged us all to actively take part in the new programme Caring Challenge. The amount of £276 was raised on the night (including the amount taken by Gloria, who kindly came along with Shooting Star merchandise). Our thanks go to all those members of the wider Group who came along with their support, the Fellowship and Leaders of other Sections, along with all the parents made for a true reflection that the 'family' of Scouting can make a difference if we work together. During half term we did not have a Pack meeting, but made up for it by going for a day out to Greenwich on the Saturday. We met at the station very early in the morning and went by train to Waterloo then walked over to the Thames (stopping at an adventure course on the way) while waiting for our boat. We had perfect weather to see all the sights pointed out to us on the way up the river to Greenwich. When we arrived we walked over to the Naval College, where the boys had an opportunity to try on armour and find out how it was made, after lunch we were taken on a tour of the College and everyone had a chance to play skittles in the oldest skittle alley in the world.
After a tour around the shop, we had a quick look at the Cutty Sark and then went for a walk UNDER the Thames across to the Isle of Dogs (ask any of them where the name came from - they all know!).
A quick play on the green and then back across for a play on the canons before we caught the boat back to the London Eye (no time left to go on it - perhaps another day!).
We arrived back at Worcester Park tired, but having had a lovely day thanks to the care of all those adults who gave up their time to ensure the safety of the boys. Thanks all and extra thanks to the boys themselves - they were a real credit to the 4th WP. Our last Pack night of the month just had to be very special after the previous few weeks, so we invited Gary down to tell us about his time at the Jamboree in Thailand. What an exciting time he had! We had an insight into what was involved - travelling so far from home, setting up and being part of a unique Scouting event. Gary's pictures and mementoes along with his informative talk brought it all to life for us 'stay at homes'. There was also an opportunity to taste the types of foods that were normal to Gary during his time away. Our thanks to Gary for so generously giving up his time to tell us about his travels. If any of the Cubs get the opportunity to attend the next Jamboree it may be a bit of a let down (Essex, I think), but I know they will enjoy it as much as Gary did his chance. PURPLE TROOPAlan Avery (Scout Leader)We cooked the traditional pancakes - what a mess! We looked at burners - Primus's, gas stoves and Trangias and went over their various properties. The same evening we did some penguin training - do you know how tall an emperor penguin is? We have looked at splinting a leg, arm slings, resusiAnne (she never did make it!) and hypothermia. These items could all be relevant to the Mountain Camp after Easter and in the ensuing weeks we will cover more ground relevant to the Mountain Camp. SILVER TROOPPaul Green (Scout Leader)We have had a busy time with the boys this month. Jumble collecting for the Group took up one evening, making pancakes, badge work and getting to grips with the new badges. We are currently finding out what badges the boys want to gain and which ones they have already gained and didn't even realise it. Neil Oxley has been working hard preparing a spreadsheet of all the badges and the boys so we have a clear idea of what activities need to be included for the boys to gain the badges. On Saturday 22nd February the Group held its' annual BP supper. This year it was cooked and prepared by Keith Daly and Neil Oxley. The waiters were provided by us and were Ben Oxley, Sam Hanson, Philip Crisp and Mark Whitley. I would like to thank the boys for all their hard work. When I went to Scouts the week after the supper a letter had been written by a current member of the Group. He remarked on how well the boys behaved and how smart and presentable they looked. This was excellent to hear and made myself and the other Leaders proud of the boys. A big thank you to them for turning up and helping. I would also like to thank Ray Crisp for all his help on Friday and Saturday night with the supper. Help from parents is always appreciated and welcomed by the Group and myself. EXPLORER SCOUTSAlan Avery (Explorer Scout Leader)Well done Chris Stocker and Steve Marston on gaining their Queens' Scout Award. Chris will also be helping with the Explorers. We had the Rangers down and Gary spoke about his trip to Thailand and then we partook of various games. Two lads came with me on a walking trip in the Derby Peak District with 1st Cheam. We have also been ice-skating. PARENTS & FRIENDSRichard Marston (Chairman)How are we doing?Following the Beetle Drive and the two Jumble Sales we have now raised a total of £715 during 2003 towards our £8,500 budgeted target for the year. After commenting last month that none of the events in the first quarter of the year were being managed by current parents I am pleased to say that Mandy Caulder, a parent of two boys in Anglia pack, has taken on the challenging, and extremely important role of managing this year's Summer Fete. Many thanks to Mandy on behalf of all parents in the Group. Planning, buying and preparation has already started so please contact Mandy via fete(at)4wp.org.uk, or the contact phone number shown below, to see how you can help with the load. Recent EventsJumble sales - After deducting expenses the two events raised a higher than expected total of £715. Special thanks to the new helpers; it spread the work for everyone. Thanks also to our Group Chairman and his team for running the event on our behalf. Coming SoonRace Nite Sat 15th March 19:30. Come and have a flutter, raise money for the Group and maybe come away with a profit. Please note the revised date. For your diary
Summer Fete Sat 5th July. Still a long way off but planning has already started. Large numbers of helpers are always required so please contact us as shown below. Internet www.4wp.org.uk.The site is now approaching 600 'hits' and can be found by the whole world via the leading Google search engine. In fact, it is so popular that our Group Chairman has bought his first PC just so that he can visit the site! The information is being kept up to date and the layout adjusted to improve its usability. The Amazon link is still bringing in commission but the newer links to Allders, Boots, WH Smith, Marks & Spencer and Opodo are not so popular. The selection of links available is being reviewed and new partners are being considered. If you have any comments or suggestions please send them to webmaster(at)4wp.org.uk. Comments or suggestions?The Parent and Friends section of the Group is running events with the aim of providing enjoyment while raising vital funds for the Group. Please let me have your comments and suggestions about the Parents and Friends section and the events it runs. Your views enable the Parents and Friends Committee to schedule events you want to attend, and improve existing events. Please contact me via p-and-f(at)4wp.org.uk or by telephone on 020 8337 2641. FELLOWSHIPGraham SmithThe Scouts' Own on the 2nd February was well attended by members of the Fellowship and then two weeks later one or two of us helped out at the Group work morning. This year's BP Supper was held on Saturday 22nd February and, as has always been the case in the past, was exceptionally well attended by the Fellowship. The hall had been appropriately decorated and Keith and his two 'chefs' had prepared an excellent meal. A truly enjoyable evening was had by all. Thanks were expressed to Keith for the work he had done in organising this annual event. February's Fellowship meeting was held on Thursday 27th and we reviewed recent events in which members had been involved including, of course, our Annual Dinner, discussed forthcoming events in which the Group require our participation and a brief resume was given of the last two Group Executive meetings. Alan Hedger gave details of the forthcoming visits to London of the Sail Training Vessels 'Tenacious' and 'Lord Nelson', which were to be open to the public. When 'Tenacious' came to London some two years ago, many Fellowship members had visited and found the vessel of very great interest. It seems likely that there will be a similar level of interest in this forthcoming visit too. With the business of the evening completed, we then had the pleasure of a talk given by Arthur and Marion Strange (both members of the Malden Camera Club) entitled 'Flora and Fauna of Florida,' illustrated by slides of the most excellent quality. We were taken on a photographic tour of Florida starting in the North with the so-called Panhandle and taking us all the way down to the Florida Keys. The images captured on film by Arthur and Marion, whether birds, animals (crocodiles and alligators predominated), or flowers (and a diversion to Cape Kennedy) were quite exceptional. It proved a most fascinating talk and our grateful thanks were expressed. Our next meeting is our AGM on Thursday 27th March, followed by a cheese and wine party organised by Geoff and Pauline. As most of you know, after the AGM, we had planned to listen to Gary Heron telling us about his experiences at the World Jamboree but have since decided to postpone this talk until a little later in the year because of the time factor on the evening itself.
Information for May 2003 Newsletter to be with Keith Daly by Monday 7th April
This page was last updated on 22 May 2003 |
