Someries News January 2004

26th Someries Beaver Colony and Cub Scout Sections have closed and merged with 2nd Someries. I would like to thank the Beaver Leaders and Helpers at the 26th for all their hard work over the years.

The Beaver Scouts Christmas party will take place on Saturday 31st January. It will run all afternoon with an entertainer for one hour. The Beavers should bring something for tea. Neckerchiefs to be worn, otherwise no uniform.

The next Beaver Leaders meeting will be at the Christmas party whilst the children are being entertained.

The Draughts competition is to be held on the evening of Friday 20th February 2004. Four Beavers from each Colony to be entered. (uniform required).

A Camp Fire is to be held at Ross Park on Friday 26th March 2004. The cost will be 50p for each Beaver to pay for the crisps and a drink. (neckerchiefs to be worn )

Fun day/Outing. Denise is to look at the prices for taking the Beavers to Legoland and Gilwell Park. (uniform to be worn). It is hoped that a grant from BLCVYS can pay the transport cost. (see below).

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County Beaver Scout meeting

BLCVYS grant scheme (Bedfordshire and Luton Council for Voluntary Youth Service). Any Scout section can apply for a grant up to a maximum of £500. Grants cannot be used to pay for rent. A copy of the information required to apply for financial assistance for rent payments was handed out at the meeting. The meeting also discussed the possibility of Local Councils charging rent for the use of their premises. A funding conference was held on 8th Nov. 2003.

A County Beaver day was requested for 2005. This will probably take place at Bromham.

Training: There are four Training Advisers in Someries District. Although several Someries Beaver Scout Leaders have completed “Sleepover” training, they will have to be assessed by a Training adviser before taking Beavers on a sleepover.

First Aid/First Response training. By 2005 all Leaders will have to have completed relevant training.

Taking photographs of Beavers during scouting activities. A copy of a letter given to parents of 2nd Someries Beavers, requesting consent, was handed out.

General information. Leaders should visit the Scout website www.scoutbase.org.uk and go to the SID directories and register themselves. They will automatically receive information on a variety of subjects. They can also access the Bedfordshire website www.bedfordshirescouts.org.uk and download “Countrywide Outlook.” Leaders should also visit the Luton Borough Council web site for more useful information.

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(An e-mail report from DCSL)

Happy New Year to everyone.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and are raring to go in 2004!

This year we are planning the launch of the Cubs’ District Newsletter. This will be issued three times a year and the articles within the Newsletter will be written by the cubs from each pack. The Newsletter will also contain information about badges and District events.

As usual the cub six-aside football tournament will take place. Due to my lack of understanding of the rules I have asked Brian Goodchild to arrange the event.

In January the County Cub Scout forum will take place. If there is anything you wish to be discussed at the meeting please let me know.

Happy New Year
District Cub Scout Leader

Someries District Scout Headquarters

Applecroft Road, Luton

An Ideal Venue For Your Party Or Celebration

Contact the Booking Secretary

01582 720435

(An e-mail report from SL (7th Someries))

The District Carol Service was held on Sunday 7th December 2003 at London Luton Airport between 2.30 and 3.30. As this year was the turn of 7th Someries Air Scout Group to host the carol service, it seemed a good idea to hold it at the Airport. The Airport Chaplain was approached and things started to “take off.” There were several difficulties to overcome, but everything came together in the end. The service took place in the Airport Terminal and was led by the Airport Chaplain, Rev. Michael Banfield. Music was provided by The Christian Fellowship band, with congregation and passing travellers joining in singing many of the popular carols.

A 7th Someries Scout accompanied the band on his trombone during the playing of the carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Readings were given by a Cub Scout Leader (7th Someries) A District explorer Scout, District Cub Scout Leader and the County Commissioner. Christmas poems were read by Scouts from 7th Someries.

The Rev. Banfield spoke to the youngsters about District events during the year. The District Commissioner invested five Air Scouts, Also invested was a Leader from 19th Someries.

The County Commissioner presented a Commissioner Training Certificate to the D.C.
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The theme of the service was “giving.” Gifts were donated for the children of Great Ormond Street Hospital and a collection was made for Keech Cottage Hospice. Thanks go to all those who contributed in any way to help make the service a success, whether by giving gifts or giving support on the day.

Special thanks go to the Beaver Scout Leader (7th Someries) who liaised with the Airport and Chaplain, as without her determination and organisation skills the carol service would not have happened. 7th Someries hope that everyone enjoyed the service and apologise for any misunderstanding or inconvenience created by parking difficulties.

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

I look forward to a year of full and exciting programmes. I’m planning, work permitting, to visit most if not all the Troops in the new year. I have not yet been asked to help out with the annual review of any Troop programmes but I am only at the end of a telephone.

It would be nice to see every Troop entering all the events put on by the District. I was surprised to see so few Troops entered in the District Swimming gala last year; just a little more encouragement from Leaders and Parents would go such a long way!

Free Day Out? (an e-mail received from the Headquarters Communications Dept).

Are members of your Scout Troop interested in Fire safety? Would they like the chance to watch fire extinguisher demonstrations at the Urbis Centre, Manchester on 17th February? If so, you may be able to make it happen!

Chubb, sponsors of the Scout Fire Safety Badge, is offering a Scout troop the opportunity to visit the Urbis Centre and be involved launching their sponsorship of the Fire Safety Badge. After the event the Scout Troop will be given a tour of the centre.

The date is Tuesday 17 February and you would need to be able to get there by 10am. The Centre is located at Cathedral Gardens, central Manchester.

To take part, the Troop will need to complete all the requirements for the badge before the event, apart from section 7. (This will be demonstrated on the day)

To make sure that your Scout troop is in with a chance please register your interest by e-mailing ann.midgley@scout.org.uk your contact details and confirmation that your Scout Troop can complete the requirements. The deadline for registering your interest is midday 14 January 2004. Travel expenses to get to Manchester will be covered by the Scout Association.

For further details contact ADC/Scouts

(An e-mail report from Explorer Scout Leader)

As I write this short report I am getting ready for the “Brass Monkeys” camp at Gilwell and wondering if the mud will be as deep as two years ago when wellies were almost lost in the line of duty and trench foot seemed a possibility. Saying “water water everywhere” and not a drop to drink seemed very apt. Traditions, once started, seem extremely daft but what the “hey.”

The Explorers we have in the District are doing things that certainly fit into the programme nicely and the activities being pursued are quite varied. So far qualifications have been gained in canoeing, climbing, swimming and many of the older members have gained their driving licences, which brings home how old I am getting.

The Explorers provide service to Walton Firs and Phasels Wood Camp sites on a bi-monthly basis, gaining vast experience in many fields as well as putting all their skills to use with other sections at the sites. A few are working with other Sections in the District as well as doing Junior Leader training in conjunction with Icknield District. Thanks to Karl and Dave for their organisational skills in running this very important part of their training.

Apart from being away at least once a month we still find time for our own away time. Summer camp was spent relaxing at Kingsdown campsite near Dover, where the inner child was catered for with a 75ft water slide that scared the bejabers out of me but provided hours of fun for all. It’s amazing how much fun you can have with copious amounts of water and washing up liquid (but just ask them to fetch water for the kitchen).

The District Swimming gala also brought out the inner child with swimmers racing in polo helmets, doing dive bomb starts and even a push to the finish right from the start (this race timed out I think).

Instead of a Christmas party or meal, twenty nine of us went to London to see the Queen Musical “We Will Rock You.” This was enjoyed by all who went.

Future activities will include a weekend trip to the activity centre Blue Peris in April.

The future of the District Explorers looks healthy, with Leaders coming from within who are willing to carry on the type of activities that appeal to the adventurous but meeting the needs of all. Don’t forget though that it will need the input of fresh faces to keep the momentum going. So to all Scout leaders please keep encouraging your older scouts to join us. We always welcome visits from would be members or Scout Leaders and we can also arrange visits of Explorers to your meeting to talk to your young members and explain what goes on.

Please let me have your news and views! They could be included in this Newsletter and also on the world wide web. Send your contributions to:- Don Lowe, 219 Old Bedford Road, Luton, LU2 7EH., or e-mail:- djlowe@ntlworld.com

Luton Scouts

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