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Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West June 2004
Chairman’s Notes
It is the season of AGMs which gives us the opportunity to thank all our leaders for their commitment to the development of our young members. If you, the reader, are a Leader please accept my personal thanks for being a “doer” – unfortunately there are not many of you in today’s society. This doesn’t just apply to Scouting, I read in a local paper the comments of a retiring Mayor who said that if all the volunteers ceased to give of their time the Borough would grind to a halt!
The role of your County Executive is to support the CC in a general, forward thinking capacity and it is in that role that the Development Project was born. I have referred to the development work in my Focus notes over the past years since I believe it is a positive way to support the GSLs and their Leaders. Please read the details of the achievements to date on the web site. www.glswscouts.org.uk/development. Development for me is the vehicle for thinking and doing things differently. Our keynote speaker at this year’s AGM is John Palmer HQ Director for Communications and Marketing, who will explore that theme. Will you be there at 7.30 for 8.00 at 8th Cheam HQ (thanks to John Bowles GSL for his hospitality) on Wednesday 9th June? Please park in the Cheam Library car park Park Road. The 100yds walk to the HQ will be clearly displayed.
It is this time of the year where the fundamentals of Scouting for outdoor activities and adventure are realised. I sincerely hope every member has the opportunity to go camping for it is in this environment that the bonds of leadership and comradeship are gained. To those Explorer Units going on expeditions to Nepal, to Nicaragua where they will be building a community centre and to the Scout Network expedition to Belarus to build a playground, I wish you all the best in what will be a valued International experience. Please tell us all about it on your return; maybe an article in Focus would enable a wider audience to share your experiences.
Have you received the newly issued green card titled ‘Safety in Scouting’? If not ask your GSL for a copy. It is hoped that the distribution to all adults/Leaders would be completed by 31st May. The initiative, design and production of the card is thanks to Bob Bushell our County Safety Coordinator and his District Safety Coordinators Alan Lane, David Christmas, Bernard Reeves, Derek Smith and Roger Tomlin. My sincere thanks go to Bob and his team for this excellent work. I would take this opportunity to acknowledge the excellent work Bob has done for the County’s safety. He will be standing down from this role to take up his new appointment as DC designate for the merger of Kingston & Malden and Surbiton Districts.
Regarding usage of Scout HQs for outside organisations; I am asked from time to time what additional safety provisions are required. The basic answer is none since all these provisions should be in place due to our policy of providing Scouting in a safe manner without risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. We can ensure our premises and facilities comply simply by regular safety checks (risk assessment). For further information read the green card and/or go to HQ web site www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs285001.pdf.
Enjoy your summer holidays
Annual General Meeting
You are cordially invited
to attend the
Annual General Meeting
of the
Greater London South West
County Scout Council
on
Wednesday 9th June
7.30 for 8.00pm
at
the Sutton and Cheam District
8th Cheam H.Q.
Spring Close Lane, Cheam
Surrey, SM3 8PU
Our guest speaker will be John Palmer, H.Q. Director for Communications and Marketing
Flying Programme 2004
All Scout leaders should have received by now a copy of the Adventurous Activities sheet in which the flying dates are shown. In case this is not the case the flying dates (all at Stapleford Airfield) are as follows:
June 20th, July 18th, September 26th and October 10th.
This year, for the first time, flights are being offered in a five-seater twin engined Piper Seneca, which is a much different experience from the usual three seater Piper Warrior. For further information and bookings contact Mrs. Dot Short on 020 8684 4421.
Unfortunately due to lack of interest the April Flying day had to be cancelled. This does not do much for our relationship with Stapleford Flying Club who give us not only the use of briefing rooms and their restaurant but also a very good deal on the cost of flights.
If the response to flying is as bad this year as it was in 2003 – then there will be no programme offered in 2005!!
A word of warning – the rules relating to flying were amended in the October 2003 revision to POR. If anyone is contemplating flying Scouts with private pilots they MUST inform me well beforehand and also notify HQ of their intentions. Failure to comply with these requirements will negate any HQ insurance cover and consequently could leave the leader liable for any ensuing court action.
SUMMER CAMP 2004
Need a Summer Camp? Haven’t got Leaders to take the Troop?
Don’t know where to go?
Here’s the answer to all your Summer Camp worries
GLSW have booked 100 places for the activity camp held at Tolmers Camp Site, near Potters Bar for the week of 24 – 31 July 2004.
There will be over 40 activities to choose from including: Quad Biking, Sailing, Skiing, Ten Pin Bowling, Swimming, Archery, Climbing, Abseiling & many more.
There’s evening entertainment every night including camp fires, wide games, videos, displays & the famous Friday Night Disco
For just £100 we will pick you up from a point local to you, feed you and bring you home after an exhausting action packed week.
If you have no Leader, no problem.
But be quick! places are going fast.
£10 per head secures you a place on the camp of Summer 2004!
Further details are on the orange pages in the Scout Section Events book, or contact me at ian.newbery@glswscouts.org.uk
1st Steps Training
What was planned to be the last 1st Steps training course run by the County has proved so popular that another ‘last course’ may be arranged. If you know anyone in the County that would like to attend a 1st Steps training course, please contact me as soon as possible so that dates can be arranged.
Fourteen members of the GLSW Network travelled to Dewerstone Cottage on April 3rd at the start of their Queen’s Scout and Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Expedition. After acclimatisation and a pre-expedition check by their Assessor they spent four days hiking across parts of both the north and south of Dartmoor in typical April conditions, although it has to be said that mist was not one of them. Both hike groups completed their objectives with few problems resulting in four members qualifying and the other ten accomplishing a full-blown practice. Further assessments are being arranged from August 22-28 in the Lake District and October 24-30, again on Dartmoor; and full details are published on the County web site.
On April 10 the Belarus Project Network held a ‘Race Night’ to raise funds for the expedition this July when a party of 18 will construct an adventure playground at an orphanage near Radun. The event was both enjoyable and financially successful. The following weekend the same Network met at Frylands Wood to perfect some of the skills necessary for the project as well as finalising plans and enjoying a convivial meal together at a local hostelry. Also, that weekend Simon and Catherine Keen organised an Easter Eggstravaganza along the North Downs near Dorking, with egg rolling being the major attraction!
We had a large contingent of Queen’s Scouts at the Windsor Parade this year, and this included two of our County Scout Network Leaders, Sara Henty and Stuart Richardson. Meanwhile the County Standard was paraded in Croydon at both their St.George’s Day services held one after the other at Trinity School.
The first weekend in May saw Network on Brownsea Island for the ‘Mystery Investiture’, but I will avoid upstaging Lucy Barden’s excellent account of it all elsewhere in ‘Focus’. Again, please look at web site to view photographs and read about what was a fabulous weekend. On Sunday May 9 members of the Belarus Project Network spent the day bag-packing at ASDA in Beddington, and raised £466 for the funds under the watchful eye of Simon Mainwaring (Wimbledon & Wandle) who was on security duty in the store.The following weekend was spent tree felling with one of Croydon’s Explorer Units, and building a catwalk at a Guide Division ‘Fun Day’. And so it goes on ........
Some 300 invitations have been mailed to Network members and Explorers approaching Network age in connection with the County Conference weekend on July 10 & 11 at Frylands Wood, and we are keen that everyone gives their wholehearted support. On the Saturday the Conference will run from 3pm to approximately 5.30pm after which there will be a Barbecue and Social. Members may camp at Frylands overnight should they so wish, but must be self-catering for Sunday breakfast. The morning will be spent setting up for the Blues ‘Gig’, although as many as 15 members will have the opportunity to go paragliding instead! We have a fantastic afternoon planned with two blues bands – Duck Soup and Texas Thunder, a(nother) BBQ and a beer tent, and a magician and bouncy castles for children coming with families and groups. The climax is a Firework Finale at approximately 9.30pm.
Tickets for the ‘Gig’ are now on sale, and Network members may purchase them at the special price of £5 – please order in advance using the form enclosed with the Conference letter, or contact the undersigned.
Mystery Investiture
The mystery investiture is an annual event that is held at different locations each year. It is a time when all members of the county come together to be invested into the Network. This year the investiture was held on Brownsea Island, where the first experimental camp for scouting took place. On Saturday 1st May, fourteen network members and the CSNC Chris Dean congregated at Rownhams Service Station on the M27. This is where the first part of the weekend was to be revealed.
Our first port of call was at the 1st Assault Group Royal Marines, Hamworthy in Poole where we had a tour of the base and were taken out to sea in Rigid Raiding Crafts (these reached speeds of up to 50 knots).
After the breath taking rides, the second set of instructions were given. Directions were given to Poole Quay, where we were to board the ferry to Brownsea Island. Our base of operations would be South Shore Lodge. Once we had settled in half the group departed for Shell Bay. There, they undertook a couple of hours sailing – thanks to Simon and Katherine. The other half began conservation work, involving clearing rhododendrons on BP’s campsite. Dinner replenished our energy levels for the evening’s entertainment. This came in the form of anything scouting that you could possibly think of, with the idea of using this as pre-investiture knowledge.
Sunday began at half past seven for those brave or mad enough to go for a swim, and half past eight for the sane ones amongst us! After breakfast, it was a return to the conservation work at BP’s campsite before the ceremony.
The County Support Team and David Williamson (National Commissioner for Network) arrived for the investiture ceremony. As well as the multiple investiture, two Network Leader warrants were presented and Chris Dean was awarded the Silver Wolf.
After lunch, we went to St Mary’s, Brownsea for an afternoon service during which the County Network standard was blessed. Once the service was over, it was time to join the crowds in the queue at Brownsea Harbour to begin our journey home to GLSW.
On behalf of those who attended, a few words of thanks must go to Chris Dean for the organisation of a fantastic weekend. Thanks also to the County Support Team and David Williamson for their attendance on Sunday for the investitures, presentations and blessing of the Network Standard. And finally, thanks to all of the drivers and let’s not forget the weathermen for forecasting superb weather all weekend.
Air Rifle Shooting
Congratulations to Melanie Flowers, a Scout from 3rd Hampton Hill Scout Group, Richmond upon Thames. At the annual competition of the English Smallbore Shooting Union (ESSU) at Bisley over the weekend 1-2 May 2004, Melanie won the title of English Womens Junior Air Rifle Champion.
Diary Dates
| 9 June | County AGM | 8th Cheam HQ |
| 17 June | County Scout Section | County Scout Centre |
| 20 June | Team and DC’s Conference | County Scout Centre |
| 24 June | County Network Committee | Merton |
| 11 July | GLSW Network ‘Blues’ Gig | Frylands Wood |
| 16 July | Gang Show Management | TBA |
| 6 September | Finance | 67 Westow St., SE19 |
| County Network Committee | Kingston | |
| 10 – 12 September | Bethesda Working party | Yr Hen Neaudd |
| 16 September | Team | County Scout Centre |
| 22 September | Executive | County Scout Centre |
Midsummer Ball
Wimbledon ESU are raising money with a Midsummer Ball on Saturday 3 July for the expedition to Nicaragua later in the summer.
The Explorers and Networkers going on the expedition will be building a community centre in the poverty stricken Barrio Sandnio, which will provide local support as well as basic medical/education facilities. This is the last big fundraising event before the trip so any support would be appreciated.
The Midsummer Ball is always a great night, with Live Music, a licensed bar and a 5-course meal – so please get as many people to come along as you can! People are beginning to book tables and tickets are available on 020 8946 5745.
Awards
| Medal of Merit | |
|---|---|
| John Baggett | Sutton and Cheam |
| Roy Barrett | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Ruth Butt | Wimbledon & Wandle |
| Paul Goldsmith | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Desmond Gude | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| John Haizelden | Sutton and Cheam |
| Maurice Jose | Wimbledon & Wandle |
| Ian King | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Derek Lambert | Sutton and Cheam |
| Vanessa Lambert | Sutton and Cheam |
| Anna Maria MacPherson | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Roger Mills | Sutton and Cheam |
| Paul Seward | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Robert Stevenson | Sutton and Cheam |
| Christopher Williams | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service | |
| C. David Barber | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Barbara Barlow | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Isobel Bell | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Frederick Callard | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Clare Croucher | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Geoffrey Hobbs | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Tara Howarth | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Alan Maloney | Wimbledon& Wandle |
| Julie Mead | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Debra Terry | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Chief Scout’s Long Service Decoration | |
| Christopher Seaman | Croydon |
| Bar to Long Service Decoration | |
| Ian Appleford | Surbiton |
| Richard Griffin | Croydon |
| Graham Kemp | Surbiton |
| Christopher Mould | Surbiton |
| Margaret Warry | Surbiton |
| Long Service Decoration | |
| Peter Bell | Croydon |
| Janet Drinkall | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| Christopher Duckworth | Wimbledon and Wandle |
| Christopher Dyball | Sutton and Cheam |
| Iain Ellis | Wallington, Carshalton & District |
| John Hardey | Croydon |
| Leo Hawkins | Croydon |
| Robert Harris | Richmond upon Thames |
| Wendy Helps | Sutton and Cheam |
| Deborah Jefferies | Croydon |
| Julie Marshall | Kingston and Malden |
| Margo Martin | Surbiton |
| Richard Moody | Richmond upon Thames |
| Lynn Newman | Surbiton |
| Michael Page | Sutton and Cheam |
| Sheila Petts | Richmond upon Thames |
| Susan Thomson | Wimbledon and Wandle |
| Alan Williams | Croydon |
Focus on GLSW
Have a great Summer Holiday and don’t forget – Items for the October issue should be submitted by 12 September 2004 to the editor: focus@glswscouts.org.uk
E-mail to webmaster