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The monthly newsletter of the 4th Worcester Park Scout Group July 2003Sections
Keith DalyGROUP SCOUT LEADERBROWNSEA PACKI am delighted to report that Les Prescott has agreed to take over as leader of Brownsea Pack. The Pack has been without a leader since last summer although the current leader team has kept the Pack running well. Les is a very experienced leader who has performed a number of roles over the years and will, I have no doubt, do a very good job. My thanks go to Les for agreeing to take on this role. 70th ANNIVERSARY DINNERThis is the last opportunity to book tickets 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 available from me. The easiest way is via E-Mail on gsl(at)4wp.org.uk or through the section leader. SUMMER CAMPSBrownsea Pack, Anglia Pack and Purple Troop will be going to camp during the summer holidays and we wish them all very enjoyable, healthy and successful camps. Cedar Colony will also be undertaking their first sleepover away from the HQ. They are spending a night away at Downe Scout Activity Centre. We hope all goes well for them. We look forward to reading all their reports in the October newsletter. ASPEN COLONYAnne Mays (MAYO) Carol Salter (HOLLY)Firstly we would like to say a big 'thank you' to Fred for coming down to help out while I was on holiday. On Monday, 12th May we arranged for someone to come down to show the boys some good sense tips on riding their bikes. Most of the boys had helmets but those who didn't were quite safe as they only rode in the hall and later on in the field. He set up some small tasks for them to do and I understand that they did really well. They also did limbo under the rope riding on their bikes and had a friendly race. We have had a games night that went really well. We did no work at all, just played games and had some fun. We have had two Bank Holidays during this month plus half term so time has been short, but we have no doubt that we shall make up for lost time. We would like to welcome three new boys Taylor Smith, Jordan Heavens and Harry Hoyle. We hope they enjoy their time with us. If any of the boys have not yet responded to the Group fun day on Sunday 13th July, could you please do so as soon as possible as Keith, our Group Scout Leader is awaiting final numbers. BIRCH COLONYAnne Richardson (MAPLE)No news item this month. CEDAR COLONYValerie Clarkson (CHIPMUNK)There were only two meetings due to half term. Our first saw Jamie Smarts' dad come down in his official capacity as a paramedic. The evening was absolutely excellent. All the boys were given bandages and shown how to put them on correctly and in pairs they put slings on each other and were shown and practised the 'recovery position'. Jamie's dad also explained about 999 calls and answered lots and lots of questions. Many, many thanks for a super evening. Then the next week we had a friend of William Eyre's down - a policeman who again came in uniform with all his equipment and talked to the boys and let them try on his helmet and coats and they all took it in turns to put the handcuffs on. Again he also answered lots of questions and was very, very patient. Many thanks to him also. Then for something totally different we played with the District parachute - games organised by William's mum. Thanks also to Matthew Coates' mother who has also been staying to help out as well. But she's had it far too easy with all our visitors so far. It will change! ANGLIA PACKBrenda Hunt (AKELA)May has been another short month due to Bank Holidays, so we only managed to meet twice. One evening we were lucky enough to have a visit from Paul Green, our Silver Troop Scout Leader, who works as a policeman when not in Scout uniform. The boys were very interested and asked some good questions - I think we have a few budding bobbies in the pack. We also started to practice mat ball for the District competition, being held next month. The competition wasn't held last year - so we are still the current holders of the cup - well boys let's see if we can keep it for another year. Doreen has a place ready on her mantle shelf. Don't let her down! Many thanks to Mandy Caulder, who kindly is organising our stall at the summer fete. Please read all our letters sent home as the boys could miss out. Also they give details of forthcoming events. BROWNSEA PACKLes Prescott (KERICK)We spent some of our meetings in May concentrating on various aspects of safety, particularly road safety, personal safety and home safety. We also took the opportunity to update ourselves on fire drills at headquarters. As a result of this, we are pleased that 15 Cubs passed their Road Safety, Personal Safety and Home Safety badges. Well done boys. Also, following our weekend training camp, four Cubs gained their Nights Away award (first stage), one Cub his second stage and one Cub his third stage. Under the new training scheme, the Cubs can gain the subsequent stages in the Scouts. At the Going-Up Ceremony in May we said "goodbye" to Sean Ryan and Ruari O'Driscoll who went up to Silver Troop, and we welcomed Matthew Bowers up from the Beavers. We've also recently welcomed Charlie King who was introduced to Cubs by Joss Newman and as a result, Joss has gained his Buddy Badge. Our sixes have been rearranged and the Sixers are now: Jack Stevenson, Nathan Dunne, Ryan Moore and Kyle Merson. The seconds are: Jamie Wickens, Adam Meaney, Sam Brown and Grant Hamilton. Reminder: Sunday 27th July to Friday 1st August Summer Camp CHARTERHOUSE PACKMargaret Pennington (AKELA)No news item this month. PURPLE TROOPAlan Avery (Scout Leader)During the month we have done general training - making trestles using square and diagonal lashings - guess how many fell to bits?! We went over how to set up a campsite and how to use a felling axe and hand axes. We had a good turn out to Scouts' Own after which we went ice-skating at Guildford Spectrum. Summer camp 27th - 31st August details to follow. SILVER TROOPPaul Green (Scout Leader)This month we've been very busy. We led the May Scouts' Own, which was on the subject of New Zealand. I told the audience all about my trek in that country and how much money I raised for the charity 'Help a London Child'. At the Scouts' Own we also said goodbye to Mark Whiteley who was also presented with his Chief Scout's Gold Award. Unfortunately Mark has other commitments and felt unable to go up to Explorer Scouts, but we wish him all the best for the future.
Also this month we had our annual Summer Camp at Phasels Wood in Hertfordshire during the half term week. At the camp we were joined by four Scouts from the 7th Morden who fitted in very nicely.
We all had a brilliant time and the Troop participated in a number of activities including climbing, abseiling, kayaking, archery, air rifle shooting, potholing, a trip to Whipsnade zoo and swimming in the local Water Park. We had a very busy week with beautiful weather and all the boys had a wonderful time. Below are a few pictures of what we got up to! The winning patrol was the Hawks, led by Paul Arthur, and Sam Hanson was awarded the coveted Camp Spirit Award.
My thanks to all the boys for their participation and generally quite good behaviour. Thanks go to all the leaders who helped with the camp. EXPLORER UNITAlan Avery (Explorer Scout Leader)It's a short month on top of which we had a week off so all we have done is a London quiz and went to Hampton open-air swimming pool with the Sutton Rangers. A few jobs need doing on our 'den of iniquity' and the water supply needs digging up as brown water is coming out of the tap, so maybe all hands on deck one summer day in the holidays. PARENTS & FRIENDSRichard Marston (Chairman)How are we doing?After including the figures from the recent Jumble Sales we now have a profit of just under £2,900 for 2003. This figure is slightly ahead of the budget forecast for this point in the year. The cancellation of the Bingo evening, which was due to take place on 14th June, means we will now have to increase our profit from the Summer Fete to cover the loss of income. If you haven't managed to help at an event so far this year, now is your chance to redeem the situation. We still have a long way to go to reach our total of £8,500 for the year but hopefully lots of helpers and plenty of spending at the Fete will help us on our way. Recent EventsJumble Sales Sat 10th and 17th May. A shortage of jumble plus a patchy supply of helpers to sell the goods resulted in a below budget profit from the two jumbles. On the bright side many bargains were had and we made £560 profit from the two events. Thanks to our Group Chairman Ray and his team for running the event on your behalf. We are looking for a trainee manager in time for the next Jumble Sale in October. Training will be given. Don't forget we need your unwanted items for the next Jumble Sale, don't get rid of them! If space is a problem we can store items as long as they aren't too big. Coming SoonSummer Fete Sat 5th July. If you have been before you will know this is a large and well-respected event. As always, we need a good number of helpers during the week running up to the event, on the day and afterwards to clear up the field and pack everything away. Please contact the Fete Manager, Mandy Caulder, with offers of help, prizes or ideas on 020 8337 0863 or fete(at)4wp.org.uk. If you can't help please make sure you bring your family, friends and neighbours to spend their money and have a fun afternoon. Following the Fete the P&F will take a well earned, and much needed, rest until the Jumble Sales on the 4th and 11th of October. We look forward to some new parents coming forward to help with the new fundraising season. Internet www.4wp.org.uk.The website continues to be a popular source of information with over 900 hits now recorded. Unfortunately, few of those visiting the site are using the shopping links to provide income for the Group. The most popular item ordered so far is the new Harry Potter book with seven people taking advantage of the 50% discount. There are shopping links on the site to CDs, DVDs, books, wine, flights etc. All are offering competitive prices and providing income for the Group at no extra cost to you. 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 SmithNo news item this month.
Information for August / September 2003 Newsletter to be with Keith Daly by Monday 7th July 2003
This page was last updated on 29 July 2003 |
