Someries News April 2004

(An e-mail report from 3rd Someries BSL).
As part of this term's activities we wanted to do an activity around helping others and decided to make a collection for the Keech Cottage Hospice. Firstly we spoke to the Hospice and they advised that they really need art and craft materials as they undertake lots of activities with the children. The Beavers then gathered their donations and decorated some boxes to present them in.

On the 12th November a small group of Beavers took the gifts to the Hospice and were given a guided tour of the facilities. They were shown the Hydrotherapy Pool, play areas, special sensory room and music room. Dionne from the Hospice showed the boys how everything is specially adapted to give full access to wheelchairs. They can accommodate not only the sick children but also have facilities for their families, so they can all spend time together in a relaxed and friendly environment. We were also told that the Hospice does hire the pool to outside groups, to help cover the running costs as they rely almost totally on donations to run the Hospice.
(Colony Assistant)

(An e-mail report from DBSL)

This year's Christmas party took place on 31st January 2004 at Wigmore Church. 73 Beavers attended the party and they were entertained by Bebo the Clown. The afternoon ended with the sound of 100 bursting balloons and a group of happy Beavers.
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The annual Draughts Competition took place on 20th February in Ross Park. Each Colony entered 4 Beavers and 16 boys in total took part in the competition. The semi finalists were Beavers from 2nd, 1st, 3rd & 19th Someries. After a hard fought final the event was won by a Beaver from the 3rd Someries. The prizes were presented by the District Commissioner.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the event.
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About 104 Beaver Scouts gathered at Ross Park on Friday 26th March, for the annual campfire. After an assortment of songs in the District Hut the Beavers went outside to take advantage of the unusually mild weather, to enjoy a song and some refreshments around the camp fire, before going back inside to round off an enjoyable evening. My thanks go to the Explorer Scouts and Leader for providing the camp fire and entertainment during the break

A trip to the Beaver Fun Day at Gilwell Park will be arranged for 19th June 2004; more details will follow closer to the time.

A Dad from 24th Someries is in the process of setting up a Road Safety initiative with Bedfordshire Police, aimed at local schools. He is also willing to bring this safety talk to children in Someries District. I will organise a visit from him to the District Beavers once this up and running.

The date of the next District Beaver Scout Leaders meeting Thursday 27th May 2004.

Someries District Scout Headquarters

Applecroft Road, Luton

An Ideal Venue For Your Party Or Celebration

Contact the Booking Secretary

01582 720435

Welcome to the Someries District Cubs Newsletter. This will be sent to your packs once every term. Each Cub Pack will be asked to write a little something about what's been going on in their Group for each issue. It could be written by the whole Cub Pack, a "Six" or just one Cub Scout. The Newsletter will also contain information about badges and events.

Christmas Carol service at Luton Airport. I know Christmas seems a long time ago and by now you are all probably starting this year's Christmas list. But the Carol Service was held by 7th Someries Scout Group in the departures terminal at Luton Airport; the service was lead by the Airport Chaplain Rev.Michael Banfield and there was a live band providing the music from the Christian Fellowship. The theme of the service was giving and people donated toys and gifts for Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Children's hospital in London and the collection went to our own Keech Cottage Children's Hospice. The afternoon was a great success and everyone including the passers by enjoyed the service.
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Sonic the Hedgehog is back! To celebrate the launch of a brand new computer game, "Sonic Heroes" we are offering two speedy Cub Scouts the chance to get their hands on a supersonic prize package. With a copy of Sonic Heroes on PS, a Sonic T-shirt, mug and double-sided poster for the winners. You can't afford to hang around!

Scouts Go Green, is a way of getting involved with an environmental project with other young people in your Group. You might design posters, do a survey of your local area or find out about the widlife on a farm. You could also chat to some Scouts about life in the Troop. What's more, taking part in Scouts Go Green is a way of earning the Environmental Group award. You'll have fun, meet new people and help preserve your local environment.

The British Computer Society (BCS).

The professional institute for the IT industry, has agreed to sponsor the five staged IT Badge for the next three years. The society which was formed in 1957 exists to provide service and support to its members. In this role it also promotes the European Computer Driving Licence. This is a European wide qualification where indivduals can demonstrate their competence in computer skills. BCS will be providing web based resources to support the badge and further information will be available soon. Resources for stages 1 and 2 can be found at: http://www.itbadge.org.uk

Fair trade.

Market prices mean that some farmers in the developing world cannot even cover what it costs to produce their crop. Fair trade guarantees a better deal for these people. Take oranges for example. Since last year, fair trade farmers have produced and sold high quality oranges world wide. This means they now get a fair price for their product and a fair wage for themselves and their families. How do you know if fruit or other produce is fairly traded? During fair trade fortnight why not make a special effort to find out. Look for the logo. If you can't see it why not ask next time you are in a Supermarket or a fruit shop. Ever wondered where your food comes from?

Please can you send your Group's report by May half term for the Summer edition.
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26th Someries has closed and the Cubs and Leaders transferred to 2nd Someries. We wish them all the best.
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I'm not sure how many groups managed to meet during the bad weather but the 16th Someries made the best of it. On the Wednesday night they joined up with a few children still left at the schools, in the after school club. They had snowball fights, snowmen competitions and snow angels and then warmed up inside with hot chocolate. It amazed me how dry the Cubs were compared to the Leaders.
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Explorers who are 14 years old to 18 years have a different badge and programme scheme to the Cubs. Some explorers are young Leaders and have to complete training. Part of their training is to run a night for Cubs. So one cold wet Wednesday in December the 1st and 16th Someries joined together so that the Explorers could run a Cub night. They all had the cubs playing games and acting out plays all about the Christmas story and eventually they ran out of time before they could finish all the activities planned. All the boys enjoyed themselves and had fun.
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(An e-mail report from ADC Scouts)

Scouts have been active over the last few months with the Football Competition and the Cooking Competition.

Firstly, the football had some very good games, some even quite close. (7-0 / 9-0 / 10-0). However that does not show just how hard everyone played. Everyone played their little socks off! I must thank our referees this year:- (From 3rd Beavers).
The results of the football are as follow:-

Cooking Competition. Well! What can I say? As usual the standards just keep getting higher and higher and as the judges said, if only every youngster could cook like that, wouldn't it be easier for all mums and dads!

Having been around watching and tasting some of the meals I can only add to what the judges had to say; "Very good food with high standards of team work and everyone knowing just what they had to do."
Just one thing that I might add is that it felt different this year without other Leaders being around. It did mean that the Scouts had less interference from Leaders who might be just a little over enthusiastic and give more help some times than needed for their teams. I would like to know what you thought; some feed back would be nice, please.
Thanks to the independent helpers from the District, who helped all the teams equally. Some needed more help than others. Hopefully they all learned something from each of the Helpers.
The Judges worked hard over the afternoon watching and tasting everything, making lots of notes on the score sheet. Many thanks to them for giving up their time to help.

Just one note from the afternoon. PLEASE make sure that the Scouts have the right size knives for the job they are doing and that they are confident in the use of knives . (The Scout who went to hospital, luckily only had one stitch and some strips).

This does mean that the 19th Someries will have to arrange next year's competition. I look forward to seeing you all competing for the new trophy next March. If there was anything to add it would be that numbers entering seem to be low. It would be nice to see more at events.

The judges commented that the standard of cooking was particularly good. Meals were very well prepared and the layout and utilisation of working areas were generally good. The pace of work was quite efficient and the division of labour was well organised.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT

SOMERIES DISTRICT SCOUT & BADGE SHOP

FOR ALL YOUR SCOUTING NEEDS

Address: Applecroft Road, Luton

01582 731498

Opening Times:-

Tuesday evenings 7.00pm to 9.00 pm
Saturday mornings 9.30am to 11.30am

Please note that badges are not available on Saturdays

Visit our web site: www.luton.dircon.co.uk/someriesscoutshop.htm

Scout Group Reviews

These reviews, undertaken over two evening sessions highlighted the strength of commitment to scouting by Leaders, helpers and Group Executives. Development in some areas of the District is being seriously restricted by the lack of Leaders, particularly within the Scout Section. Some Troops reported being very low in numbers, whereas most Beaver Colonies have quite long waiting lists.

We were pleased to welcome to the review meetings the newly appointed Local (County) Training Manager, The review carried out in conjunction with GSL's and Scouters I/C confirmed that the level of adult training within Someries District is excellent. Training needs for new Leaders plus minor deficiencies in other aspects of adult Leaders training were identified. These needs will be progressed with individuals, within the next few weeks.

A full update of the District Directory was undertaken. Amendments have been incorporated and the directory reissued. Should there be need to correct or make any changes please let me know.

Please send your scouting news for publication in the next District Newsletter to Don Lowe, 219 Old Bedford Road, Luton. Tel. 613130. or e-mail:- djlowe@ntlworld.com

Luton Scouts

Someries News