Someries News June 2003

(An e-mail report from the District Cub Scout Leader).
St. George's Day: There was a great turn out of Groups on St. George's Day and all the Cub Scouts loooked very smart. It was good to see so many Cubs receiving badges and taking part in the service.
Camps: I know that some of you have already been on camp or are planning to go in the near future. I hope that the sun shines! and that you have a great time. Please let me know if you have been on camp and how it went. These experiences could help someone else.
Pack nights: I have been trying to get round to all the packs to visit everyone. Now that the run up to the wedding is over I hope to visit all the Groups. At the Groups that I have visited I have seen a wide variety of activities and many different ways of delivering the new programme. All the Cubs have enjoyed the evenings and participated well.

Many thanks to all Leaders and helpers for all the hard work, time and effort that you dedicate to the Cub Scout Section.

To all Someries District Leaders & their families, Assistants, Executive members and Members of the Scout Association.

YOU ARE INVITED TO A DISTRICT BBQ & SOCIAL AT ROSS PARK, DISTRICT HQ, 6.30pm-LATE ON SATURDAY 5th JULY 2003.

Tickets are available from Brian & Janet Goodchild and from the Badge Shop on Tuesday evenings.

Please bring your own liquid refreshments and let us know if you require a vegetarian option.
Tickets must be purchased by Saturday 28th June

St. George's Day Parade and Service was held on Sunday 27th April 2003.
Beaver Scouts, Cubs Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts from each of the three Luton Scout Districts assembled in St. George's Square in the town centre. The whole area was ablaze with colour as the bearers and escorts of the Union and St. George's flags and Sectional Standards assembled ahead of their respective District and Group. Under the direction of the Parade Marshall the Scouts made their way past the Town Hall. Taking the salute was the Mayor Cllr Raj Saleen and Someries District Commissioner.

This year (2003), was the turn of Someries District to hold their service at the Parish Church. The DC welcomed the congregation and offered a particular word of welcome to the Mayor, Luton MP Kelvin Hopkins, representatives from the County Scout Council and other invited guests. The "Colours" were received and the new Explorer Scout Standard was blessed and dedicated by the Reverend Andrew Blyth and then placed with the other District and Group Colours. A review of the past year's Scouting activities was given by a youngster from each of the four Sections. Emphasis was placed on the "great" time that everyone had had at the District camp. During the Service each Section stood, made the Scout sign and renewed their Beaver Scout, Cub Scout and Scout promise.

Offertory. The collection taken during the service totalled £232.55. This sum after expenses for the service have been deducted will be donated to the "Keech Cottage" Childrens Hospice.

The following e-mail has been received from Communications Department at Gilwell.
The Submarine Museum, Gosport, now offers free entry to organised youth groups (except during August). Museum website www.rnsubmus.co.uk. To book contact Andrew Poole 023 9252-9217 ext 240 or e-mail director@rnsubmus.co.uk

Science Museum. If your Cubs would be interested in a night of science mixed in with a lot of fun culminating in sleeping over at the Science Museum, then there is such an opportunity! A special Cubs Science Night will take place on Saturday 27th September. For more information contact the Science Info line 020 7942-4747

Woburn Safari Park. A great deal brought to you by Woburn Safari Park and The Scout Association. On the 12th and 13th July you are invited to enjoy half price tickets to visit the Park. (This is offered to mini bus groups of 15 or more). Call 01525 290246 to get a booking form or to buy your tickets.

Camping and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
Scouting is committed to undertaking Scouting in as safe an environment as possible. It is vital therefore that camp Leaders ensure that all adults are vetted with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) before a camp or other residential experience. The Association stipulates that every person who will have unsupervised access at some time whether : supervising small groups collecting wood for the fire, escorting Cub Scouts to the WC., looking after an injured Scout: All these situations and many others could leave an adult alone with young people.

If you have any queries relating to this Scout Association requirement contact the District Commissioner

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 the District Beaver Scout Leader).
District Camp fire. Picture the scene, a warm summer evening (which is surprising because it's Spring!). One longing for entertainment and three beleagured Leaders determined to provide it, armed only with a burning log fire and a list of songs: some old favourites, some new material (not quite indie-punk) but culled from various sources.
Although I was confident of my organisational flair and ability to use perfect pitch and lead a tuneful evening, Leaders from from 2nd Someries helped provide a tuneful edge to the singing. After a dozen songs the assembled voices revitalised their larynxes with a plentiful diet of squash and crisps. Thus refreshed, they carried on with a further eleven songs finishing off with the unforgettable classic "You put the damper in and you pull the damper out and the smoke goes up the Chimney...." etc.
An evening thoroughly enjoyed by all finished at 8.15pm. For the safety conscious amongst you, I can assure you the fire was tended throughout by a professional fire-fighter (sort of poacher turned game-keeper really).

District Draughts Competition Picture the scene, (this is a different one from the campfire ) a warm summer evening, Bushmead School hall and a Beaver Scout Leader from the 3rd Someries armed with his laptop. Yes, it was time once again for District Draughts competition to be dragged screaming into this century. Normally this is held at Ross Park with me running around like a headless chicken with various pieces of paper trying to keep track of scores by hand. But BSL (3rd Someries) volunteered to organise it, and all I had to do was to bring the draughts boards and the prizes with me. He got no argument from me!! He entered all the names of the Beavers into his laptop as they entered the building and gave them a printed sticker to put on their Beaver tops so they knew which table to sit on. (The tables were already labeled!). Twenty three Beaver Scouts took part in a nail biting, head scratching competition. At the end of each game, which lasted five minutes, the computer added up the scores and spat out the next round of games.
In the final was 2nd Someries Beaver Scout and a Beaver from from 7th Someries. It was a classic battle of strategy, first one player then the other gaining the upper hand until finally the Beaver from 2nd Someries emerged victorious The finalists and the semi-finalists all received a Beaver T-shirt that you could colour in and the finalists both received a trophy.

Sunday 13th April, was a very early rise.We had to be on the 6.30am train to London, along with my Mum, Dad and sister and her friend. As the the train got closer to London it was standing room only. When we arrived we headed for Greenwich Park. I was to start my race in zone 6: there were 9 zones altogether. My running number was 42337. The time soon went by and it was 9.30 and time to go. I crossed the start line at 9.53am. My folks popped up many times throughout the course to cheer me on, (boy can my mum shout when she wants to). My girl friend and a few friends
also came to London to support me, as well as a representative of the charity I was running for : "The Chicken Shed Theatre Company." I raised just under £1,400.00. It was hard going and I was relieved to be on the home straight running towards Buckingham Palace with the finishing line in sight. I had done it! It took 5 hours 42 minutes but it was well worth it because I have a medal to show not only did I run the 23rd London Marathon but I completed it. The organisers sent me my official time and placement. I came 22,236 out of about 600,000. Again next year?... May be!

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

Badges are not available on Saturdays

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

The explorer shirts are now in stock and Scout Shops are in the process of issuing some small sizes for the Beaver (24inch) and Cub (26 & 28inch) sweatshirts. They are going to stock age 13 activity trousers for boys (hopefully at the junior price of £15.00). They are also going to increase the sizes of adult activity and smart trousers. Men's sizes will be 26inch-60inch waist and ladies' from size 8-36. Adult shorts will be available in the same sizes.

Congratulations to Sharon and Trevor, who were married at St. Anne’s Church in April. we wish them a long and happy life together!
Sharon e-mailed this wedding report. We got married on Saturday the 5th April at St Anne’s Church, Luton. It was a wedding with many special touches. A Venture Scout Leader and long time friend was Trev’s “Best Woman.” All the Someries District Venture Scouts were Ushers. One of them was also one of my Bridesmaids. At the wedding The District Venture Unit Flag was paraded. Due to the change in the structure of scouting this will probably be the last time the Unit flag will be paraded. 16th Someries Leaders, Cubs and Scouts provided a surprise guard of honour. The day went off without any problems and we both had a fantastic time.

Use these pages to spread your scouting news. No matter how large or small it could go into print on the world wide web

Send contributions for inclusion in this Newsletter to Don Lowe, e-mail:- djlowe@ntlworld.com

Luton Scouts

Someries News