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Luton Scouts |
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Someries NewsJanuary 2005
We begin this Newsletter by passing on from Members of the District Executive and the District Commissioner the hope that all of you had a happy Christmas and their wish to everyone in Someries District for successful Scouting in 2005. With these tragic events headlined in the press and on television it would be remiss of me not to include this statement made by David Bull (Scout International Commissioner). Further details can be found on the internet under ScoutBase uk "All those who have been tragically affected by the earthquake and tsunami which has hit so many counties, are in our thoughts and prayers. Half the world's 28 million Scouts live in the affected countries and we know that they will be involved in recovery work. You will want to know how you can help. We suggest financial donations for immediate emergency relief work should be made to the DEC Tsunami National Appeal. Additionally the World Scout Organisation of the scout movement are accepting donations which can be used to fund specific projects of the Scout organisation affected. These may be projects to re-start and re-equip Scout Groups or to support projects to help affected communities.
www.scout.org/donate/index.shtml For ideas on how to help our members think about their response to these natural disasters, as part of our programme download the fact sheet FS260026 Responding to natural disasters. Later, we shall be looking at ways in which Scouting in the UK can help longer term. Your ideas on this and any other comments, will be very welcome." David Bull (International Commissioner).
Beaver Scout Report (An e-mail report from Denise O'Hara) District Beaver Scout trip to Knebworth Fort. Two coaches took 53 Beaver Scouts, 10 Cubs and 17 adults to Knebworth Fort, Stevenage for the day on Saturday 19th June 2004.
After lunch the whole group went for a walk up to the maze and dinosaur trail which was situated in the grounds of the house. The maze wasn't signposted and it was harder to find the maze than it was to walk round it. The maze wasn't very high and was made out of box and yew and was set on the site of a Victorian maze. We didn't lose anybody , so we all set off to the dinosaur trail , which consisted of 72 life-size dinosaurs in a woodland setting. There was a brief shower as we walked back and we had another play on the Fort before we went home tired but happy! 19th Someries 70th Birthday. I was invited to the 70th celebrations of the 19th Someries Scout Group. An enormous amout of work must have gone into organising the day as there was an amazing display of past and present scouting memorabilia in the main hall. I would like to thank 19th Someries for letting me share it with them. Denise Return to contents Concerns about nut alergies and eye protectors were forgotten as David Farish organised and supervised the 2004 Cub Scout District Conker competition, which was held at Someries District Scout Headquarters on Monday 18th October 2004. David reported that the event was very well supported by Cub Scouts from most of the Packs in the District. The results are listed:-
David passes his thanks to all the adults who helped on the day. Return to contents
Return to contents (e-mail report from District Scoutshop Manager). Scout Shops Outdoors Ltd. (www.outdoors.ltd.uk) have sold all their shops to Outdoor Adventure, the company who own Milletts and Blacks.The old Outdoor Shops will no longer stock scout uniforms and books. It will make little difference to our Scout Shop, except that we will not be able to buy items which are not in stock direct from Peterborough as we used to do. We will have to allow much longer for the required items to be delivered. (As I write this report on New Years Eve, our order of 29th November has not yet been delivered). I think that, as all the uniforms etc. have had to be returned to Lancing from all the Outdoor Shops, the people at Lancing are trying to sort everything out. Perhaps when they have done this things may then settle down. We hope that you will be patient with us in this changeover. We will do our best to supply you with the things that you require. Wishing you all a very happy 2005 (Someries District Scout Shop Manager). Someries District Scout Shop.
Return to contents (An e-mail from Sharon Wise-Sharp). Joshua was born on the 16/12/04 at 10.26am by C section.
Trevor and myself would like to thank everyone for cards, presents and support and we look forward to seeing you all in the new year. Sharon. Return to contents 19th Someries 70th Birthday
Beaver Scouts, Cubs, Scouts and Leaders past and present, gathered for a grand get-together. The District Commissioner together with the Mayor of Luton and other invited guests joined the Group to enjoy a barbecue, sample the birthday cake, look at displays, old photographs historic uniforms and many other items of scouting memorabilia. The event was reported in both The Luton News and the Herald, with photographs in both newspapers. Return to contents The next edition will be published March/April 2005. Please let me have your contributions by the end of February. Return to contents District Headquarters Bookings.
Return to contents District Explorer Scouts Report (An e-mail report from Explorer Scout Leader). 2004 was a quieter year in the terms of activities, but we still managed to get a lot done. It started with the annual winter camp at Gilwell Park with 9 Explorers and 3 Leaders wading around in the mud for a weekend. The next major event was the trip to Blue Peris outdoor centre at Easter, with 10 Explorer Scouts and 2 Leaders braving the journey up to the north of Wales for a weekend of activities which included a 90 degree abseil and an afternoon canoeing on Llanberis lake. With major exams going on we had to restrict what activities went on during the year. After all the exams were finished we had a chill-out camp at Walton Firs in the summer holiday. Our thanks go to Sue and Dave at Walton Firs. September gave us the opportunity to show off a bit in the County Explorer competition "Best in Beds" where the Someries District Explorers showed their skills as instructors by running the abseiling and climbing sessions of the competition. The last major activity was the "Christmas do" which this year was an outing to to see the musical Fame at the Aldwich Theatre in London. 19 of us went, braving the trains and tubes on what appeared to be London's party night. On the tube we ran into a member of the Headquarters PR team who was impressed with the outgoing nature of the Explorer Scouts that were squeezed into the tube train. Other things that have taken place during the year. We have continued with our crewing at Walton Firs and Phasels Wood campsites and many Explorers have completed their activity training. Our storage facility has been erected and just needs to be finished off. Two new tents have been delivered which leaves just the mess tents to purchase and all the lottery grant money will have been spent. Now to 2005. The main activity will be an international camp at De Kluis Scout centre in Belgium, which will be taking place in August. This site is situated in a forested area about one hour train ride from Brussels. Twenty one of us will be going which is nearly all the unit. Crewing will continue and though the budget for training has gone we hope to continue with activity training through crewing activities. I would like to thank all the Explorer Scouts for their participation in all that has taken place in the past year and to all the over 18's that have been members. We wish you well in all that you do in the future. You have set the standard for the younger ones to aim for and it is quite a high standard. My thanks go to the District Executive for putting up with me and for all the support that you have given the young people in this Great Section and to all the Leaders in the District for your support throughout the year. Here's wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year. Explorer Scout Leader Return to contents
It is with sadness that we report on the death of Pam Brown, who was the wife of Peter Brown, a Vice President of Someries District, and also Pat Mayes, wife of Leigh who is still an active member of the District. John Dyke We also note the death of John Dyke. John spent a lifetime in scouting and held many District and County Appointments. Return to contents or Someries News index |
The Fort is a great place to take Beavers /Cubs as they can just be left to
go climbing over the Fort with adults wandering around just keeping an eye on
everyone. The "Astroglide" and chute were a great hit with the
children, as they seemed to enjoy having their bones rattled as they went down
the bumpy slides. Needless to say most of the adults "chickened" out
(except for a couple of ex- Venture Scouts) and watched from the sidelines.
Joshua was obviously too comfortable and was in no rush to appear to the
outside world. So on the evening of the 15th I was induced. Due to Joshua's
heart beat dropping, a C section was performed and Josh arrived at 10.26am
Thursday morning. He had the cord wrapped round his neck three times, however,
he arrived fully awake and his eyes wide open. We were released from hospital on
the Saturday and that night Josh was introduced to the Leaders of 16th Someries
at their Christmas party. This year's theme was the nativity and Josh took the
part of Jesus. In true style he slept through the whole thing! including the
barrage of party poppers and crackers that were let off.
A whole afternoon was dedicated to this birthday celebration, held at St.
Christophers Church Hall, Round Green on 18th September 2004.
Pam Brown