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Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West December 2003
County Commissioner's Message
Every year it seems that the onset of Christmas gets earlier and earlier, with the commercial activities becoming harder to ignore. Part of being a Scout is thinking of others and doing a good turn to someone else. I'm sure that many of you throughout GLSW will be involved in something that will help others less fortunate than ourselves.
Christmas is also a time to spend with others, especially families, so please all leaders and adults involved, take the opportunity, to share the time with those who often support us quietly in the background, throughout the year.
2004 promises to be no less an active time for Scouting, as changes come in, Eurojam to prepare for, and 2007 creeping ever nearer. This time last year the jamboree contingent were putting their final preparations in place before flying off to Thailand for Christmas. Where did 2003 go?
Enjoy the Christmas break and the New Year celebrations.
Seasons Greetings to you all from
Chairman’s Notes
As we approach Christmas and the New Year your County Development Project is at the end of its second year. A comprehensive Year two report has been prepared and copies are available, together with a review, on our web site. Please try to find time to read the development pages on the web site. The Funding Agencies were delighted with the report and as a result the funding for the third year has been approved. In general terms, the project has moved to be more strategic than in the first year, with an increase in support mechanisms to DCs and the District Teams. Your steering group hold the belief that the project must operate on a self-help basis if the work is to be maintained in the longer term. This objective is paying off with evidence being seen that more and more Scout Groups are talking about development in a positive and active way. I would repeat the view put forward by a member of one of our funding agencies. "I am of the opinion that real progress has been achieved in putting growth and development higher up the agenda of local Scouting. The methods employed are of a very high standard and the commitment to sustainability very strong."
Congratulations to our CDO Jo Launchbury and our Project Manager Ian Newbery for their drive and commitment and to all Focus readers who have played their part in another excellent year of development.
...the first priority remains – ‘Promoting growth/retention of young people’...
The steering group organised a straw poll of the County Support Team and the DCs to establish from the six development point priority list (See my October report for the list) their individual priorities. The result was clear cut. The first priority remains – 'Promoting growth/retention of young people'. The second was 'Providing support for new and existing adults' while a close third was, 'Encouraging and supporting mixed and co-ed Scouting'. It is important to know your views so please let me know what you consider to be the top priorities.
When you next pay a visit to our County Scout Centre at Bow Lane you will be pleasantly surprised with the newly completed toilet block. It looks great with gleaming tiling throughout and the exterior has been painted with help from the Probation Services. It is significant that not one penny of the budgeted cost for 2003 was used. Congratulation to Cliff Condon and his volunteer team for a magnificent achievement.
Unfortunately a winter virus meant that I missed the Southwest Gang Show this year but I do want to record my personal thanks to the management team for their ability to put the show on at all. With the threatened closure of the Secombe Theatre earlier in the year the team was searching for an alternative economic option. They stuck to the task and with the support of Sutton Borough Council the Secombe Theatre was reprieved. Andy Hayward and his production team put on an excellent show which this year involved more young people that ever – what more could you ask for?
At this time of the year we think of helping others. The County is sponsoring Shannon, the latest horse to join the Diamond Centre for handicapped riders, and I would applaud those Scout Groups who have already donated £285 this year. If your Group is looking for a charity to support from your Christmas fund raising, please remember the Diamond Centre.
My Christmas message is to thank you all for your contribution during the past year in helping young people get the most out of their Scouting. They may not express their thanks now but from my experience they will always look back and remember what fun they had.
Nights Away Permit Scheme
More than 260 adults throughout the County attended the recent 'Nights Away' presentations during which several questions were raised. These included overnight hikes and family camps.
A night away or residential experience is any event that takes young people away from home and involves them sleeping somewhere overnight. Therefore an overnight hike, during which it is not planned to sleep, does not fall into the Nights Away Scheme and therefore a permit is not required.
An adult or adults having the appropriate permit(s) must be present during a family camp. These camps may be attended by Beaver Scouts under the supervision and control of their parent(s)/carer(s), or a responsible adult(s) nominated by them. The nominated adult(s) takes responsibility for the young person and must not be a member of the camp leadership team.
District Commissioners are now identifying Nights Away Advisers who in turn will ensure that the new scheme is fully operational by 1st September 2004.
Better Scouting for more young people
Hosted by Roger, our ever smiling County Commissioner, representatives from Groups who increased their membership in the last census met for an evening of lively discussion, wine and ‘nibbles’ at Bow Lane on the 4th November. ‘Better Scouting for more young people’ was an informal and light hearted event to say thank you to those Groups who had achieved an all important increase in their numbers. It also provided an excellent opportunity to share thoughts and ideas on the development of Scouting in our County, and gave GSL’s the chance to say what support and help they needed to continue to grow Scouting in their Groups.
Made to work hard for their supper, Gilwell goodie bag, and a CD of all the latest GLSW Development Project resources, the GSL’s were split into three teams to discuss the way forward and to share their own ‘Better Scouting’ ideas. And what is the secret of a successful Group? GLSW GSL’s said...
Youth Recruitment
Active advertising – regular leaflets into local schools and local area, and forging good links with those schools. Going mixed and maintaining a good balance of girls and boys in the section. ‘Bring a friend’ evenings, and using the Buddy Badge – let the young people do the recruitment work for you. Run a quality programme, lots of fun, celebrate achievements, success breeds success!
Adult Recruitment
Set up parent rotas, use welcome packs with ‘helping out form’ to complete, split jobs/tasks down into small chunks for parents (not daunting huge projects). Use parents as much as possible; accept all offers of help however small. Run joint parent/child activities to get adults more involved in Group, run social activities for parents and promote the Group as something for the whole family. Welcome parents in at the close of the section meetings i.e. flag down/Grand Howl etc. to see investitures and badges/certificates being awarded.
General Issues
Group: Be flexible, know when to instigate change, involve parents in decision making, maintain a full Executive committee to support the group (breaking roles down into smaller tasks where possible). Public awareness, use community notice boards to publicise the Group and events. Ensure good financial management, set a budget. Have a plan of what you want to achieve (Group development plan).
Sections: Sense of humour required every week. Leaders should participate in all District and County activities where possible to enhance section programme, maintain good discipline and control, have fun! Run a balanced exciting programme with plenty of camping and outdoor activities, this is will attract young people to Scouting. Use the enthusiasm Leaders have to build stronger sections. Promote the Young Leader scheme – Explorer Scouts are our Leaders of the future. Maintain good links between sections.
Fortunately, it’s not rocket science. We have a number of very successful and growing Scout Groups across this County, and with a little bit of work we can have a whole lot more. Resources to help and support you with youth recruitment, adult recruitment and development planning are available on the County web site (www.glswscouts.org.uk/development). If you would like more information on developing your Scout Group, please get in touch.
I hope you all had successful summer camps, I have certainly been impressed with the reports that I have heard as I travel around the County.
Since the summer break there have been a number of County Scout events, some new and some more familiar. As many of you know we have not held a Camping Competition/ standards weekend for the last 2 years and at the last County Scout section all day meeting held in December 2002 it was decided that the call for such an event was limited. Those present decided that we should run something more relevant for the new programme and so the "Mission Improbable" Outdoor challenge weekend was born.
I have asked Helen Jeffery to take a County Scout leaders role, (whilst maintaining her existing appointment as ASL at the 7th Malden), with the main task to running this event. So with this in mind Helen, Dicky Ball (ADC Croydon) and I put together a pilot weekend which ran on 19/20/21 September. This was a great success for our "guinea pigs" and from this experience we are launching it to the County next year.
Unfortunately the Cyclo-X did not attract the usual numbers this year, however we had a beautiful day, the racing was keen and all those who took part enjoyed themselves. My thanks to Alan Kemp and his team for organising.
Equally under supported was the swimming gala. Unfortunately only 3 Districts were represented and as 2 of these were from the now merged Croydon District, it does not bode well for the future.
Full results of all the events this year are on the web site and the now familiar Scout Events yearbook will be sent out at Christmas.
Firstly congratulations to Stuart Richardson, past – Chairman, who becomes the first member of the GLSW County Scout Network to achieve the Queen's Scout Award. Let's trust he is the first of many!
After many months of searching I have 'found' some potential County Scout Network Leaders – Catherine Golden, previously an AVSL in Wimbledon, Sara Henty, an ACSL from Croydon, and Stuart Richardson from Richmond – and I hope these appointments will be confirmed in due course. There are two other appointments in the pipeline so at last we are beginning to build up a Support Team in GLSW. I would also like to welcome Simon Keens to GLSW. Simon was previously County Scout Network Commissioner for Cambridgeshire, and was snapped up as a District Scout Leader by Sutton & Cheam as he 'parachuted' into GLSW! He and his wife have already registered as Network members, and I am sure it won't be long before they are found a 'small' job to do!
At the County Scout Network Committee on 20 October Jos Ramage was elected Chairman and Robert Hiscocks Vice-Chairman. The Secretary is Emma Wilson, and Treasurer, Karen James. This is the first elected Committee, and we wish them well.
Three of our 6 Networks are making good progress, and I am especially impressed with the way the Belarus Project Network is tackling the very demanding task of preparing for next summer when a party of 12–15 heads for Radun to construct an adventure playground at an orphanage. The steering committee is arranging a number of fund-raising events from now until June, and it would be great if GLSW Network members generally could support these.
Elsewhere in the County, I am a little disappointed that we are not making as much headway as we should, although it is not for the want of trying. On November 24 we are holding a 'launch' in Sutton, and are waiting to be inundated with new members!
During the autumn, Network members attended the regional Panels Day at Gilwell, took part in Queen's Scout Award/ DofE expeditions, judged the County Scout Swimming Gala, and paraded on Remembrance Sunday; and its encouraging to see how we are raising our profile in so many ways. It seems only a very short time ago that we took our first census of membership, and here we are again. Subscriptions fall due on January 1, and are payable by all 18–25's either direct to Andrew Florence or myself, or if Leaders via the Group. Full details, including the amount due, will be published on the web site, and reminders sent to Districts to ensure we can identify all our members.
The planning of next year's programme is already well under way. Operation Red Flare takes place on February 21, and this event is 'shared' with the Explorers. From 3–9 April we are offering another expedition opportunity at Gold DofE/QSA level based at Dewerstone on Dartmoor. If you wish to participate please complete the on-line booking form on www.glswscouts.org.uk/network/award-expedition. The Network Rugby Sevens are scheduled to take place on Easter Monday subject to demand of course! The Mystery Investiture, so successful last January, will take place at an undisclosed location on May 1/2 – expect to be away for 36 hours. Further information will be made available shortly, but book the date now and be ready to apply quickly. It promises to be truly memorable.
Also around Easter, the Explorers are holding a County Themed Camp, and the Network will be involved in some way – a good opportunity to build links with the 14–18 section, our lifeblood for the future.
A Very Happy Christmas to One-and-All
Special Needs
The second workshop on managing unacceptable & disruptive behaviour was held in Wallington on Thursday 23rd October and was again over-subscribed with 35 leaders attending. We had some very positive feed-back with many of the leaders wanting more time spent on case studies of their particular problems. Libby Green identified that the problems often occur with 7½–8 year olds and 10 year olds – just about the time when Beavers and Cubs are getting ready to move to the next section. We also had excellent speakers in Pat Askey, Derek Smith and Joe Rodgerson; and had the help of tutors Eric Bradley, Jack Holland and Peter Pocknell.
Another workshop will be arranged for 2004 – perhaps a Sunday afternoon! Let me know if you are interested….
Intercounty Air Gun Competition
Next year's event is on April 4th at Aldersley National Indoor Shooting Centre, Wolverhampton. It is hoped to raise a GLSW Team to compete again, following last year's Team success in winning second place in this event, which is open to all Scout Counties in the country. Anyone wishing to be considered for the 2004 competition team (or who knows of someone) is invited to contact Jean Jenkins. It is open to all Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Network Scouts and associated adults. There will be trials in January and a selected squad will train regularly up to the beginning of March, when a final team selection will be made.
Souwest 2003
There's the gang, called Souwest! Positively, they're the best! And if you had attended the County Gang Show at the Secombe Theatre this year, then I'm sure you would agree. Once again, the finest singers, dancers and leaders that enjoy dressing up formed the red-scarved gang of Souwest. Of course, a lot more than just one weeks worth of effort goes into producing the show, and I'm sure all who bore witness to this spectacle will share in the thanks that are given to Andrew Hayward and his production team.
The week of the show, however, belonged to the jubilant cast, who were clearly enjoying the experience as much as the audience watching. This year's highlights included a trip to the beaches of California, the banks of the River Thames, a delve into an old toy-box, a visit to a sweet factory and sketches inspired by both Morecombe & Wise and the Two Ronnies! If you were enticed by what you saw and feel that you could be just as-good-a-singer, dancer or even Sugar Plum Fairy, auditions for next year's show are being held on 29 February, and 7 and 14 March next year (visit the County web site soon to see full details and download an application form). It's a great way to make new friends in Scouting, be persuaded into doing things you normally felt too embarrassed to do, yet still, more importantly, have a great time doing them.
County Cub Swimming Gala
The County Cub Swimming Gala took place at Trinity School, Shirley, on Saturday 15th November. Despite a disappointingly low turnout, the competition was still keen. For Surbiton District, this was especially so, as they had not won for four years and excitement was high as the team felt they had a good chance this year. This optimistic sentiment proved to be more than just a feeling, when their first swimmer won the first heat of the front crawl. This set the example to the rest of the team, who were then inspired to win virtually all their heats.
By the time of the finals, the confidence of the Surbiton team had grown. It had so much so that in the first final, the Medley Relay, the team won comfortably with a length and a half to spare!
The team (pictured with their trophy) of Matthew and Paul (6th Tolworth), Jack, Tom, Andrew and Edward (Berrylands), and Freddie and Sean (1st Surbiton 'Dolphin') couldn't seem to put a foot (or should that be stroke?) wrong from then on. They won every scoring final bar one, making them this year's Gala winners. They were awarded the trophy by the County Commissioner, and receive all our congratulations!
Thanks go once again to Trinity School for allowing us to use their pool, and hopefully next year more teams will enter and compete in this great Cub event.
Awards
| Certificate of Meritorious Conduct | |
|---|---|
| Hilary Lawless | GSL, 26 Croydon (St. Andrews) |
| “In recognition of his bravery and prompt actions when a man was stabbed during an argument, he administered first aid to the casualty without thought for his own safety” |
|
Diary Dates
| 3 December | Executive | County Scout Centre |
| 13 January | County Team | County Scout Centre |
| 21 January | Gang Show Management | |
| 27 February | County Dinner | |
| 10 March | Scout Section | County Scout Centre |
| 15 March | County Finance | 67 Westow St., SE19 |
| 17 March | County Team | County Scout Centre |
| 24 March | Gang Show Management | |
| 31 March | Executive | County Scout Centre |
| 9 June | County AGM |
Focus on GLSW
Items for the February issue should be submitted by 18 January 2004 to the editor: focus@glswscouts.org.uk
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