Group News
This page provides access to current and past copies of the the monthly newsletter of the 4th Worcester Park Scout Group plus other reports relating to life at the 4th. The Friends of the Fourth page has copies of their own section's newsletter.
NEWS 2007: Autumn Summer Spring
2006: Autumn, Summer, Spring
2005: 12, 11, 10, 09, 07, 06, 05, 04, 03, 02 01, Older: Archive
4th News, Summer 2007
Fred Fletcher - Group Scout Leader
We are now half way through our Centenary Scouting Year, but there are still some big events for us to enjoy for the rest of the year.
Our Group had a wonderful turnout for the St George's Day Parade that was held in Sutton. Over 100 of our members attended and they all looked very smart indeed. It was very nice when a lady walked up to me and said that she thought our Group the smartest on parade; thank you madam you made Dave Sweetland and myself feel very proud of the 4th Worcester Park Scout Group - well done to everyone.
On August 1st 2007 we will all be renewing our Promise at the Scouting Centenary Sunrise which will start at 7.45am - yes I know it's early, but over 26 million Scouts all over the world will be renewing their Promise at the same time.
This unique occasion will be held on The Green in front of Worcester Park Station. We shall be taking part in this event with other Worcester Park Scout Groups.. The 1st Cuddington, 2nd Cuddington and the 1st Old Malden Scout Groups.
We shall be giving all parents further details about this event at a later date.
Over 100 members of our Group visited the District Centenary Camp which was held at Walton Firs Camp at Cobham, Surrey. The Beavers and Cubs went for one day on the Saturday. Charterhouse Cub Pack camped for two nights with Silver and Purple Troops camping for three nights; Silver Troop continued for the rest of the week at camp.
There were many exciting things to do for everyone and I know that they all enjoyed themselves.
Our Centenary Summer Fete will be held on Saturday 7th July 2007. Starting at 12 noon our Fete this year will be sponsored by Bairstow Eaves our local estate agents. I would like to thank Bairstow Eaves for their generosity in supporting the young people in our Group, many thanks indeed.
It will be a great day out for everyone; this year we are hoping that our Summer Fete will be the biggest and best ever so please come along and don't miss it!
Finally keep Saturday 22nd September free as all Beavers, Cubs and Scouts can attend the Groups 'Fun Day', a day of fun held at our H.Q. in which we shall have a camp fire and a firework display.
I think that's it for now, see you soon.
Fred Fletcher
ASPEN COLONY - Anne Mays (MAYO) Carol Salter (HOLLY)
As usual we have been very busy.. but not too busy to say a big thank you to Simon Evans for turning up every week to help and to Robyn Lauren as well - we really do appreciate your help.
We started in January with our amazing Scouts Own Service, well done everyone and thank you to Leigh Wicks for operating the computer for the songs we sung. We attended the District Pantomime which was very good. February saw us making Valentines Day gifts and making (and of course eating) pancakes.
In March thanks to Alan Avery we were able to do a fire drill and learn how to make basic knots. We would like to convey a huge thank you to Simon Evans for organising our trip to Epsom Police Station and to Mike O'Donnell and John Green for driving the minibuses. The outing was really great and hopefully that will be the only time as a civilian they will see the inside of a police cell!
The Officer who took us around showed us the inside of a police car and how it operates and took great care of us and we were given gifts when we left. It was a very successful outing and thank you to all who helped us. We followed this with Mothers Day gifts and then we made a wonderful Easter collage for our board. Finally we made some Easter nests which were great fun to make though I'm not too sure how many made it home! A District Camp Fire at Park Farm in Banstead was also fitted in, thank you to all parents who helped and we have attended the St George's Day Parade
What can we say about the Centenary District Camp on Saturday 26th May? The day in itself was great - Holly and I can only say a thank you to the parents who helped us - so a huge thank you to Kate Culver, Barry Vandell, Simon Evans and of course Robyn Tomlinson without these the day could have been a disaster.
Arrival was ok with the sun shining but unfortunately there were no signs as to where the activities were and even though we arrived early and had our lunch and had time to look around nothing had yet started so I took it upon myself to be the runner running all around the different areas looking for the activities so that I could run back and tell the others where to go.
As it happened it was a good idea as we found I think most of the activities for the children to do but it did leave the parents with just a small group of children and I feel sure it worked out well as we would certainly have missed quite a few. Then came the rain (or a clearing up shower so Kate informed us) but did it clear up? - not a chance so we had dinner in the dining tents with the wet clothes of the cubs and scouts dripping on us but did it dampen the boys moral? - not for a minute they thought it was great. So we went along to the campfire in the rain and saw the lighting of the beacon still in the rain and then afterwards we caught the coaches home.
We need to say thank you to all of 4th Worcester Park Scout Group who helped with the food for the Beavers and for allowing us to share their equipment and their dining area. I feel sure that if the children weren't put off by this weekend then they should become good campers and if they continue to share in the hospitality and the fun of the experience of Scouting it will be great for them all. Thank you to everyone for making it so enjoyable and your continued help with the younger ones. Holly and I both hope that all who attended had a great time.
On Wednesday 1st August at 7.45am all Beavers, Cubs and Scouts all over the world will be celebrating 'Centenary Sunrise'. We shall keep you informed of arrangements nearer the date.
BIRCH COLONY - Louise Mullings
No report
CEDAR COLONY - Valerie Street (BADGER)
No report
ANGLIA PACK - Samantha O'Reilly (AKELA)
No news this term
BROWNSEA PACK - Les Prescott (KERICK)
In the months after Christmas, we looked at two new Cub badges: Astronomer and Map Reader and have undertaken some of the requirements for these. Hopefully we can complete them at our weekend and summer camps. We also practised for the District Chess competition which we entered, experimented with candle cooking, and at the beginning of Lent we cooked pancakes. We went swimming at the Rainbow Centre at Epsom and did a sort of Easter egg hunt, although it had to be indoors because it was raining!
We held our weekend training camp at Park Farm at Banstead, in May. Although it was a rather wet weekend, we managed to complete much of the programme including learning to pitch and strike tents, fire lighting and cooking, woodland trails and our assault course. We visited a local farm where we saw sheepdog trials, lambs, chickens, horses and ponies and two-week old sheepdog puppies! It was a fabulous visit. We'll now be preparing for our summer camp in July.
We've said goodbye to Edward Yelf who gained his Chief Scout's Silver Award and went up to Purple Troop and we wish him well in his Scouting. The current Sixers are: David Nosworthy, William Singer, Thomas Sharp and Aaron Prince.
Dates for your diary:
- Scouts' Own - 8th July at 11.00am
- Summer Camp - Sunday 29th July to Friday 3rd August 2007
CHARTERHOUSE PACK - Margaret Pennington (AKELA)
Charterhouse Jan - Apr
We started the term by deciding what we wanted to do for the rest of the year. Lots and lots of exciting ideas came forward, some of the best are: going to camp, swimming, fun days, and Disney Paris. These are the ones that are under organisation. We will be going to camp both with the group at District camp and to Small Dole in July and while there cubs will be swimming (a good chance to get them clean!). We are going to Gilwell for the fun day in June and also to the one down the hall in September and we are going to Disney in Paris next January (well it does take a year to organise).
Other good suggestions can be covered either at camp or during our normal pack nights.
We looked long and hard at the caring challenge and as part of that award cubs organised and ran a 'Bring and Buy' sale for Red Nose Day and raised £75.00. Cubs and parents also turned up at Morrison's in Sutton on April fools day to help the Sutton Lions raise money for St Raphael's Hospice. In spite of the date cubs in uniform eager to pack bags meant the 'aaah' factor opened purses and wallets to raise lots of money.
A very well done to all those people, you have been noticed and we are proud of you. The rest of you just get talked about.
We had a caring party when 'if you touched it you could not put it in your mouth'. It wasn't long before everyone worked it out and great fun was had by all.
Plans are well on (I lie a lot) for the group camp. Lots of us are going, most folks are sleeping in tents, and fun things are going to happen.
Before that we have Promise renewal to look towards, everyone will be there, so I will see you then.
As usual we supported the group at all the events organised for our entertainment both fundraising and social. Unfortunately some of you missed the excitement; I will meet you at the next event.
If you are reading this then very well done to the Wicks's as last terms got lost on the superhighway. For years people told me that I should try new technology. I am not convinced - the important emails disappear and the rude ones get through - my guardian angel could be napping.
Charterhouse at Camp
We went to the District Centenary camp as part of the 4th camp with the group. The cubs camped for two nights and it rained, thanks to Brian patrolling and checking the tents the only water that got in was because one of the cubs kept opening the doors and got wet.
I believe that thanks to the adults stepping in and entertaining the cubs a good time was had by the young folk. As for the rest 'least said soonest mended'
I have a lot of 'thank yous' for the help and support of this event and they include Ian, Richard, Richard, Greg, Eddie, Tom and most of all to Kay who helped keep me almost sane. And of course the leaders and children of Silver and Purple troops who allowed us take over their camp kitchen and after a mess was made they washed up. Really lovely people in the 4th I won't name them all as I may embarrass them, but we know who they are.
PURPLE TROOP - Alan Avery (SCOUT LEADER)
No report
SILVER TROOP - Paul Green (SCOUT LEADER)
Well what a wet horrible soggy camp (for the first bit anyway!!!) I think that the centenary camp and our subsequent camp for the rest of the week was one of the dampest I have ever been on. Fortunately, by the end of the week the blazing sunshine had come and we were able to put the dry tents straight back in the store!!.
The centenary camp was attended by 14 boys from Silver troop and 7 from Purple troop and we were assisted by Neal Oxley, Alan Avery, Brian Yearley, Keith Poles, Geoff Morris, Andy Marshall and Steph Green with our food from the leaders of Charterhouse. My thanks to all those who helped, it made life a lot easier in the rain!
All the scouts who attended the camp completed their challenges and all gained the camp award, these have all been presented and they can now wear them on their uniform. The activities ranged from swimming, bowling, climbing, sailing, crafts, skating and a trip to the Brooklands Museum. We also had a camp fire with the entire district, but yet again it was in the rain!!
After Monday the rest of the district left, leaving just silver troop, now joined by our chefs Brenda Hunt and Keith Daly with a site almost to ourselves. We had thought of coming home but the lovely warden and service crew allowed us the hut to dry out and sleep in for 2 nights, this was much appreciated by the leaders and boys and meant we were set up to return under canvas by Wednesday.
I am pleased to announce that we have now received our power boating permits and boat authorizations. This meant that over the week of camp we were able to take 30 Explorers from the district to Whitstable in Kent, power boating and then, on Thursday of camp, all the silver troop scouts got a trip along the Thames at about 40 knots (45MPH) which we ALL enjoyed.
The 2 groups got from Richmond Lock all the way to the Thames barrier seeing the sights along the way. From what the scouts said to me they all loved it and wanted another go, I think the McDonalds for lunch sold it to them as well. If any of the sections are interested in organising a similar trip please talk to any of the silver troop leaders and we will see what can be arranged.
The final closure of camp on Thursday night consisted of a trip to Fairoaks airport to see the Surrey police helicopter OS99. The Scouts and leaders were shown round the aircraft and got to see all the equipment available to the crew. We also met the airfield cat who took a particular liking to the pilot's seat! My thanks to the crew for organising this.
After a busy week, Friday was clear up day and time for home and a hot shower and 14 hours sleep! Everybody worked hard clearing the site and we arrived home a little late. With some much needed and appreciated help from the parents we packed up and all went home.
I would again like to thank all the leaders for their help; without you we would not have been able to do it.
The final bit is to let you know the awards for camp. The Swifts patrol, lead by Patrol Leader Grant, won the shooting competition with the air rifles, well done boys!
Our yearly camp award for the gross act of stupidity was awarded to one to the most lively, helpful scouts, all through the week no matter how much wind and rain came he kept smiling, until Friday.
This helpful Scout was assisting in taking down one of the leaders tents, when we all heard the distinctive sound of the fly sheet ripping! Not put off by the noise the Scout continued in his mission to flatten the tent, much to the horror of our Quarter Master, Brian who was watching.
When told to stop and put it back as he found it the Scout could not find the eyelet hole designed for the pole so instead ripped a new one! So it is my pleasure to have awarded the Dense Flotsam award to Roy Carley. This is a medal made from a large piece of drift wood found many years ago on the beach in Dover and first awarded to me by Neal Oxley.
EXPLORER UNIT - Leigh Wicks (EXPLORER SCOUT LEADER)
This term the lads & lasses have been busy, starting with meeting up with Sutton Division rangers, to show and tell about each others previously unknown hobbies. They seemed to have all ends of the spectrum, from key rings to remote controlled cars. They also had a hands -on cookery session making good use of one of the explorer's skills, by making fresh bread in an evening - and luckily everyone lived to tell the tale!
An evening was spent completing a chip survey of Worcester Park High Street, where we can now reveal "Ocean fish bar" scored the most points, and an evening was spent unsuccessfully trying to make several hot-air balloons in the field. Unfortunately, due to poor planning, most of these ended up catching fire, before taking off!
At present, the Explorers are looking to visit the sunrise celebrations at Gilwell Park on the 1st August, for a cheap day packed with activities. They are also in the process of planning a sleepover, to learn new skills like how to make fire, and survive!
The unit is also hoping to plan, prepare and undertake a summer expedition this year, somewhere within the UK. It will be a first for many of them, and will be a good chance to get out and about in the mountains. They will of course, need your help with fundraising for the trip, so please watch this space for further details.!
PARENTS & FRIENDS - Kevin Mohr (CHAIRMAN) (8644 7165)
No report
FELLOWSHIP - Graham Smith (CHAIRMAN)
Our 23rd A.G.M. was held on 29th March 2007 when Joan Hammett and Derek Scrine agreed to continue in office as Secretary and Treasurer respectively, and Peter Philips was elected as Chairman to replace Graham Smith who resigned having served with distinction since March 2002. The incoming Chairman said that Graham would be a tough act to follow and many members spoke kindly of the service Graham had rendered to the Fellowship and thereby to the Group.
Members have continued to help at all the Group functions held since the last report, and especially are always in evidence at those when food is on offer, or modest gambling may be undertaken.
The table tennis section continues its weekly endeavours with improving skills. A full programme of the monthly social events has been arranged for the coming year, commencing with an illustrated talk on 26th April by John Martin of The Woodland Trust. All members of the Group, as are their parents and grandparents, are welcome at Fellowship events and should contact our Secretary for any more information that may be needed.
Scouting in 2007 - World Centenary Activities
Scouting started in 1907, with an experimental camp on Brownsea Island in the UK for 20 boys from a wide variety of social backgrounds.
Today, Scouting is a million times bigger than when it first started. It involves girls and boys, men and women from every race, religion and culture, and nearly every country in the world.
In 2007, Scouting celebrates its worldwide Centenary. This is an opportunity to promote the values, benefits and achievements of Scouting to the world, and also for the millions of Scouts around the world to make a real difference to the lives of others through their Centenary activities.
The single theme for all events and activities for the Centenary of Scouting and the 21st World Scout Jamboree is: 2007: One World One Promise.
Scouting's Sunrise - Wednesday, 1 August 2007 - The Dawn of a new Century for Scouting around the World.
On 1 August 1907, Scouting's Founder Robert Baden-Powell blew his kudu horn on Brownsea Island at 08:00 to open the world's first Scout camp. Soon thereafter, Scouting began to quickly spread around the world and now exists in 216 countries and territories.
2007, the 100th anniversary of Scouting is an opportunity for us to demonstrate the unique value of Scouting to the world and to celebrate the achievements of 100 years of Scouting. However, the 100th anniversary must provide a platform for the development of Scouting and not only celebrate the past 100 years. 2007 is the dawn of a new century of Scouting. We should celebrate the future of Scouting and look to how we can improve it to meet the needs of even more young people, their families and communities and offer better and bigger Scouting worldwide. We must seize this moment and prepare well in advance to share our successes and achievements.
100 years to the day, on 1 August 2007, every Scout, from every WOSM country, will mark the Centenary and look to the past, present and, most importantly, the future of Scouting.
For further details visit the Scouting website: http://eng.scouting2007.org/