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Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West December 2004
Chairman’s Notes
This issue of Focus has come at a very opportune time for me to report on your County’s strategy for the next three years. This initiative has been prompted by firstly the completion of the first three years of the Development Project (please read our County Development Officer, Jo Launchbury’s article in this edition) and secondly the centenary celebrations of Scouting in 2007.
We started by looking at what we do well and how we can grow on that success and then to highlight our weaknesses and naturally how we can strengthen them. It isn’t an original concept or even rocket science but it is a simple approach and I would strongly recommend the process to Districts, Groups and sections. Why not try it yourself? You will be very surprised at the result.
We have called our strategy plan Thinking Differently About GLSW with a target to completing consultations with the County Team and DCs in time for its approval at the next Executive meeting (1st December 2004). As a result the key action points will be agreed with the individual responsible person.
I am indebted to Nigel Steward and Jo Launchbury for leading the project. Already the thinking in our draft plan has satisfied the Scout Association Development Grants Board enough to award us a further grant of 36% of the total cost of extending our Development Project up to December 2007.
I will continue to apply for further charitable grants to raise the remaining money.
Talking of money, your Finance subcommittee under the chairmanship of Hallam Carter-Pegg (Please read his note on the use of Gift Aid) set the budget for 2005 taking into account the financial needs of the strategy plan with the County membership for the year of £3.50 per member.
Finally I would share with you my optimism and enthusiasm for 2005 but above everything else I should like to thank you for your contribution in helping young people get the most out of Scouting over the past year.
Happy Christmas and a healthy and successful New Year.
County Commissioner’s Message
December is upon us and if we haven’t done so already, thoughts turn to Christmas and the festive season. 2004 is almost behind us and it seems that every year passes quicker than ever. Or is that just a sign of getting older? Scouting in GLSW has been as busy as ever and I would like to thank all of you for your efforts over the past year that you have put into Scouting to give young people the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of our great movement.
Hopefully over the Christmas period there will be the opportunity to have some form of restful break, to recharge the batteries for the new year, although for some, with working patterns and shifts this may not be possible.
The new year will bring us a little nearer to the centenary celebrations of 2007 and of course EuroJam. Headquarters have also asked us to focus more directly on recruiting more adults, in order to assist the increase of our younger membership. The relaxing of the 65-year rule will no doubt help partly and as you will read elsewhere in Focus, the County has managed to secure more funding for our development project. The project over the last three years has provided a number of successes and it is great news that we will be able to continue the work.
This coming year GLSW census should see, or rather it is expected that there will be an increase in our numbers. A number of new sections throughout the County have opened and several leaders have stated that their sections have also increased. Coupled with the fact that the suitability of appointment and not the upper age barrier now exists has enabled others to continue leadership roles. A clearer understanding of how numbers should be accurately be reported will also be given this year, so there can be no misunderstanding over the recording of members who happen to move between sections at the time of census.
We have in GLSW quite firm foundations established throughout our Districts and we should all be optimistic about the Scouting future throughout 2005 going on towards 2007.
Merry Christmas and a bright and cheerful New Year.
Congratulations to Edward (Ed) Hackett who has achieved his Queen’s Scout Award having completed the expedition section in the Lake District last August. Such is the demand that we arranged another opportunity for hikes over the October half-term, and 4 Network members coped admirably with some really disgusting weather on Dartmoor. The next trip is to the Yorkshire Dales in the Easter vacation, and details can be found on the County web site. Please don’t leave it too late to apply.
On October 17 we were well represented at the Communication & Consultation Day at Gilwell Park, with Catherine Keen and Robert Hiscocks joining in Network Panel discussions, and Kate Fuller contributing as ‘young person rep’ on the Activities Panel. Simon Keen was also present as a member of the National Network Team. Congratulations also to Simon on successfully completing his RYA Rescue Boat course.
In early November the Network provided checkpoint assistance at the County Explorer Scout Night Hike, and will be doing so again when Croydon Explorers hold their NITEX event on December 4. Five Queen’s Scouts – Lucy Barden, Martin Harker, Sara Henty, Karen James, and Joanna Watson – were privileged to be in the Guard of Honour at The Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday; and we have been asked to provide a full contingent of 17 older Explorers and Network members at the State Opening of Parliament on November 23.
The Belarus Project Specialist Scout Network has been giving presentations to various audiences around the County, and these have been well received. Furthermore, on December 19 we launch the International Expedition Scout Network at a lunchtime meeting at Bow Lane commencing at 1pm. Explorer Scouts aged over 17½ have also been invited, and we hope for a productive and well attended meeting during which our options for a County Explorer Belt Expedition in 2006 will be discussed.
At the last County Scout Network Committee meeting the following future events were agreed or confirmed :
| January 7-9 | ‘Winter Meet’ at Dewerstone, Devon. |
| January 10 | Network Committee Meeting, Richmond. |
| March 3-6 | Mountaineering in North Wales (Bethesda) |
| May 7-8 | Mystery Investiture |
| May 22 or 29 | Rugby Sevens |
Next Summer we can offer Service Team opportunities at EuroJam and ‘Edda’. There is still time to register for the former, and staff application forms for ‘Edda’ (Viking in English) are available from myself.
Andrew Florence has been working extremely hard on the County Scout Network database, and already he has input more than 350 entries. This will enable us to send a mailing to all 18-25’s in time for the 2005 Census. It would be appreciated if completed registration forms and subscriptions, where applicable, are returned to Andrew by January 1st.
Seasons greetings and.... YINS (of course)!
![[11th Purley Cubs]](images/focus-2004-12-p1.jpg)
The 11th Purley (St James, Riddlesdown) Cub Pack were guests of honour at Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion, a treat donated by local company Cleankill (Environmental Services) Limited. The Cubs had a backstage tour, including visiting the trophy cabinet and dressing room, before having lunch. They then watched the match from the luxury of a corporate box. Our pack name was on the cover of the programme, as well as inside and was announced to the crowded stadium with a loud cheer from our 18 Cubs. Akela was introduced to the teams before kick off, and at the end the pack had the honour of choosing Man of the Match and presenting champagne to Andy Johnson, before pausing for autographs and photos. To top it all off Palace won three nil! Thanks to Cleankill for their generous donation and Akela for organising the day.
New Adult Appointment Forms
Headquarters have issued a new adult appointment form, which should be used immediately for all adult appointments. All remaining ‘old’ form AAs should be destroyed as they have ceased to be recognised by HQ . New forms can be obtained from the Scout information Centre, your District appointments secretary or downloaded from: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/aa.pdf
Explorer Scouts Ian Honor, Anthony Godden, Magnus Kelly, Liam O’Donohue, Charlie Dorling, Rian Charles and Network members Chris Stone & Rob Middleton represented GLSW at the State opening of parliament on the morning of 23rd November.
They all answered a request sent out by Martyn Milner (HQ Field Development Officer) who asked the County if they could find about 7 reliable Explorer Scouts or younger Network members to fulfil this long standing commitment on behalf of the Scout Association.
They attended a rehearsal the night before and were joined by Explorers from Greater London South East prior to the main event the following morning.
GLSW Explorer Scout Night Hike
![[Hampton ESU team]](images/focus-2004-12-p2.jpg)
The Hampton ESU team – winners of the Gold Route trophy
Saturday 6th November saw the inaugural GLSW Explorer Scout night hike take place at West Horsley in Surrey. From 7pm onwards, 17 teams from all parts of the County gathered in the village hall to start the checking in procedure. After they had had their kit checked and had plotted the checkpoints on their maps they set off.
The route offered the teams the option of completing either the Bronze, Silver or Gold hike, the choice of which was up to them to decide once they had started. The Gold route was approx 13½ miles long and ended back at the village hall where as the Silver and Bronze routes ended at the 10½ and 8½ mile checkpoints respectively.
As they returned to the hall the teams were able to follow the progress of the rest of the competitors on the big screen, which displayed the teams times between check points and their relative positions in each category.
In the end 9 teams completed the Gold route, 7 completed the Silver and one team opted for the Bronze hike. [Full results can be found in the Explorer section of the County web site.]
At the end of the evening everyone returned to the hall and bedded down for a few hours well earned sleep, only to rise relatively early for the final presentations at 8.30am.
Well done to all those who took part and we hope to see them again next year.
Of course events like this do not just happen and my thanks go to Neil McLaughlan and Tom Griffin who were the prime movers. Also to Chris Sowden, Dick Hooper and all those who manned checkpoints, controlled radios and helped in other ways.
County Cyclo-Cross 2004 Results
![[14th Wallington team]](images/focus-2004-12-p3.jpg)
The 14th Wallington team with the under-16/leader winner’s trophy and the under-12 winner’s trophy
The 2004 GLSW Cyclo-Cross took place at Frylands Wood Campsite on Sunday 3rd October. The rain held off for most of the competition and, unusually for Frylands, the 1½-mile course started fairly dry. Fifty-three cyclists took part, representing sixteen Troops from all over the County.
The Cyclo-Cross is a team event for teams of three or more cyclists in each age category. The score for each team is the arithmetic sum of the highest three places achieved by that team (for example, 4th, 6th and 11th places would give a team score of 21). Where there are fewer than three cyclists in a team, the third place or second and third places are given a position following the last place in the race.
The team trophy for the U12’s went to 14th Wallington Scout Troop with the under-14 team trophy going to 1st Hook Scout Troop. The winning team place in the under-16 race was shared between 14th Wallington Scout Troop and 1st Hook Scout Troop. Full results can be found in the Scouts section of the County web site.
Congratulations
The 1st Hook and the Kingston and Malden Scout and Guide Band have both been selected to play at next year’s St George’s Day Parade at Windsor.
Well done to both bands.
Training Update
So far this year 40 leaders have completed Module 25 for Nights Away Advisers which means that every District now has access to assessors for Nights Away Permits.
Every member of each District Appointment Sub-Committee has had the opportunity to attend the Appointment Sub-Committee Workshop held in their District. This committee plays a key role in the new training scheme for adults. We will be organising more workshops in Districts as and when more lay members join these committees.
Module 25 for Managers have been arranged to meet Headquarters requirements that all GSLs, ADCs and Commissioners complete this module by 31st December 2004. GLSW will be well on the way to meeting this target however further opportunities will be available to pick up those who have not been able to attend.
Local Training Managers and Administrators are in place in some Districts and Training Advisers are also being approached. Training will be given for these appointments early in 2005.
Arrangements are being made for Explorer Sectional Leader Training in the new year and a Module 16 Nights Away to pick up 12 leaders who were not able to complete that part of Leadership I.
The Beaver Leaders will have the opportunity to have the new training explained to them on 28th November at the Beaver Skills Day. Cub and Scout ADC meetings will also have the opportunity of a presentation. Hopefully from those meetings I shall be invited to bring the presentation to sectional meetings in your District.
Future Dates
| 16 January | Module 25 for Training Advisers in Croydon |
| 6 February | Module 25 for Managers |
| 27 February | Module 25 for Training Advisers in Wimbledon and Wandle |
| 13 March | Module 25 for Managers |
| 10 April | Module 25 for Nights Away |
Further Details from Joan Condon the County Training Administrator (020) 8540 5115
Thinking Differently...
about Development
As this item goes to press in December the Development Project will be completing its third year. In 2000 prior to the implementation of the GLSW Development Project the annual census for the County showed a loss of 7.46%. The latest census return (2004) showed the overall loss had been reduced to 2.5% during the life of the project. Further research following the census also indicated that due to incorrect reporting in some areas the real figure for 2004 was in fact much closer to 0%.
During the first year the Project focused on working with individual Groups and dealing with a broad range of development work. In our second year the focus shifted taking account of our growing knowledge and experience and we started working more strategically with DC’s and District teams. The focus in the third year has continued to move towards a more strategic way of working and we believe this has enabled us to achieve many of our original aims.
Achievements over the last three years include:
- The GLSW Asylum Seekers report, which HQ have shared nationally
- 26 schools visited, with whole school recruitment presentation in 12 of these
- over 750 GLSW Buddy badges awarded in the first 12 months of the initiative
- DART/Development teams established and ongoing support provided
- 4 new Beaver colonies opened with support from the Project
- 270 hits a week on average for our Development web site
- census losses down to 2.5%, (nearer to 0% after reporting errors were taken into consideration)
Beyond 2004
The County has applied for a number of grants during the last twelve months and has recently learned that its application to the Development Grants Board (DGB) at Gilwell has been successful. The DGB funded 50% of the Project for the first three years, and this new grant is all the more satisfying as the DGB very rarely fund Development Projects for a second term. The grant from the DGB is spread across a further three year period and gives us approximately one third of the total money we need to maintain the project, so we still need to source funding for the other two thirds of our costs.
To ensure the continued growth and development of Scouting in GLSW in the coming three years, the Development Project also has four new key objectives to work towards in the life of the Project. These are to:
- work with District Development Teams to recruit 100 additional adults
- increase membership in the County Scout Network by 30%
- increase Explorer Scout membership within the County by 20%
- set up and support two new sustainable BMEC Groups in the County
Watch this space for Development updates!
National Scout Air Rifle Competition
This year, because of uncertainties about the fate of Walton Firs – the home to the event since its inception – they were held at Bisley – the home of British shooting. Some 470 Scout members took part, camping in the fields adjacent to the Lord Robert’s Centre. The actual shooting events took place in the NSRA’s Malcolm Cooper Range, named in memory of one of Britain’s former Olympic Gold medallists.
The competition featured 6 yard air rifle and pistol, field target air rifle, a biathlon event, involving running and shooting, archery and classes for own rifle and pistol at 6 yards, plus own rifle at 10 metres.
As can be imagined, with the large number taking part, medals and trophies were keenly contested.
The following is a list of medals/trophies gained by members of GLSW:
Six yard air rifle
Team event
2nd place, Fellowship Shield and Silver medals: 7th Malden team of Nick Baker, Chris Barnes, Graeme Baker and Kenan McGrath
[3rd Hampton Hill came 4th]
Under-12 individual
Gold medal: Peter Hall 3rd Hampton Hill
Bronze medal: Joe Chadwick 14rd Wimbledon
Under-14 individual
Ken White Trophy & Gold medal: Andrew Dobson 5th Morden
Most improved score over last year’s, Walton Firs Trophy: Nick Higson 3rd Hampton Hill
[second place Joe Chadwick 14th Wimbledon]
Junior Knockout
Gold medal: Luke Stanford 1st Old Malden
Vintage air rifle
Bronze medal: David Gibson 13th Twickenham (St Mary’s)
Ten metre own air rifle
Silver medal: Melanie Flowers 3rd Hampton Hill
Six yard pistol, adult
Silver medal: Nick Baker 7th Malden
Bronze medal: Martin Feltham 7th Malden
[their team came 6th]
Own pistol
David Gibson 13th Twickenham (St. Mary’s)
Archery, adult
Silver medal: John Bennett 5th Morden
Chris Lacey of Meon Valley ESU, Hampshire and Melanie Flowers of 3rd Hampton Hill were introduced to the sport of air rifle shooting through Scouting. The former is the GB Junior Champion at 10 metres (and a contender for a place in the Commonwealth Games team) and the latter the English female Champion.
The ‘Bisley experience’ was much enjoyed by all who took part. The site oozes history and tradition, but also has the up-to- date facilities of the Lord Robert’s Centre, built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. If the London bid for the 2012 Olympic Games is successful the shooting events would be staged there!
County Appointments
The following appointments have recently been made within the County.
| Stephen Clark | Deputy County Commissioner with responsibility for International and Scout Fellowship |
| David Gould | County Band Advisor |
| Alan Lane | County Health and Safety Advisor |
| Robin Corti | ACC Activities |
| John Perkins | DC Designate for the combined Districts of Sutton and Wallington |
| Neil McLaughlan, Ben and Mark Pearcy | County Explorer Scout Leaders |
We wish them good luck in their new roles.
Subscriptions can go further
Can we make our subscriptions go further or can we make money from our subscriptions? The answer is YES with Gift Aid.
The Government will pay your group and extra 28%, yes 28% if you register for Gift Aid.
In simple terms it means that if Groups will obtain signed declarations from parents that they pay income tax, the tax man will give the Group a tax refund equal to 28% of the subscriptions back to the Group. So if your present subscription brings in £500 the tax man will give you a further £140.
To find out more, email fundraising@scout.org.uk
To register, write to: Inland Revenue (Charities), St. John’s House, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside L69 9BB
Or contact Hallam Carter-Pegg on (020) 8686 0010 and good luck with your efforts.
Once upon a time, in the mists of Scouting’s history, there existed a body of adult Scouts aged from 17½ years upwards. The investiture procedure, which took place after the age 18 years, usually in Church or Chapel, ensured that members fully understood the implication of keeping the Scout Promise and Law as an adult. In those days these adults provided most of the Leaders and support teams for Scout Groups, Districts and Counties. At all kinds of events they were the nucleus of the support crew, tent pitching, running providores, emergency services, cleaning rubbish, all those jobs that contribute to an event’s smooth running. The age range of members went from 17½ years to 80 plus – there was no upper limit. They all served according to their skills, availability and physical ability. Their motto was ‘Service’. If it sounds familiar it is, they were called Rovers.
Today the jobs Rovers did are done by the Scout Fellowship, which, thankfully, includes ladies. The age range of 18 years upwards is the same. Even the motto ‘Active Support’ is similar, as is commitment to the Scout Promise and Law. In many ways Scout Fellowship has replaced Rovers. But that’s not quite true.
Today there is an extra adult section. Called ‘Network’ its age range of 18 – 25 years overlaps that of Scout Fellowship. It includes young ladies. Members continue their Scout training, can take up Leadership and are able to fulfil the tasks more suited to youth. The service once given by Rovers is now shared between Scout Fellowship and Network.
Both Scout Fellowship and Network can provide a really useful source of committed adult support in any County. They need to co-operate and share activities. For Scout Fellowships being parochial is not an option. After the age of 25 years where do Network members go? Yes, we do need Leaders. Yes, we need lively Commissioners to run sections. But, we shouldn’t ignore those who have neither the time, ability, or inclination to be Leaders, but are sympathetic to Scouting’s ideals. Their next step could be Scout Fellowship. County and District Fellowships should come together and plan for it.
Awards
| Queen’s Scout Award | |
|---|---|
| Timothy Walker | Scott Explorer Scouts |
| Explorer Belt | |
| Timothy Walker | Scott Explorer Scouts |
| Martin Furze | Scott Explorer Scouts |
| Aidan Robinson | Scott Explorer Scouts |
| Matthew Kearns | Scott Explorer Scouts |
| Alex Gill | Scott Explorer Scouts |
| Joseph Taylor | Cook Explorer Scouts |
| Lucas Edwards | Cook Explorer Scouts |
| Alex Rigge | Marco Polo Explorer Scouts |
| Andrew Brooman | Marco Polo Explorer Scouts |
| Chief Scout’s Platinum Award | |
| Rian Charles | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Charlie Dorling | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Ben Miles | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Chris Byrne | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Sam Jaques | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Sophie Hale | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Sophie Carter | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| David Mullan | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Chief Scout’s Gold Award | |
| Alex Dorling | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Lisa Smith | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Lucy Abel | Magellan Explorer Scouts |
| Andrew Castle | 24th Purley |
| Owen Mills | 24th Purley |
| James Howell | 24th Purley |
| Rory McDermott | 8th Morden |
| Simon Sykes | 14th Wimbledon |
| Laurie McCron | 14th Wimbledon |
Good Service Awards
| Medal of Merit | |
|---|---|
| Penelope Bell-Wright | Richmond upon Thames |
| Nicola Benge | Richmond upon Thames |
| Alan Brewer | Richmond upon Thames |
| Vera Dunk | Richmond upon Thames |
| Caroline Gates | Richmond upon Thames |
| Andrew Gibson | Richmond upon Thames |
| Christopher Penson | Richmond upon Thames |
| William Vaudrey | Wimbledon and Wandle |
| Nicholas Williams | Richmond upon Thames |
Focus on GLSW
Items for the February issue should be submitted by 15 January 2005 to the editor: focus@glswscouts.org.uk
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